Kerala’s Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) questioned the elderly parents of Rejaz M Sheeba Sydeek, a 26-year-old activist and freelance journalist, reportedly due to his involvement in pro-Palestinian protests.
The questioning, which took place on Tuesday when Rejaz was not at home, has raised concerns about surveillance and intimidation tactics used against those participating in Palestine solidarity protests in Kerala.
“Police were closely watching all the pro-Palestinian protests across the state. And I was a part of many such protests,” Rejaz told Maktoob.
He recounted being contacted by a caller claiming to be from the police while he was at a hospital. Despite informing them of his absence, the officers proceeded to visit his home and intimidated his parents. “When I reached home, they had already left,” he added.
This incident follows a previous confrontation between Rejaz and the Kerala Police. On 7 November, he and four others were detained for five hours at Palarivattam Police Station while attending an Indian Super League (ISL) match at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi. They were wearing keffiyeh, the symbol of Palestine solidarity. The group was later released without any formal charges filed.
Rejaz claims that the ATS’s line of questioning during their visit went beyond his participation in protests, attempting to establish links between him and potential terrorist activities.
“The police asked, ‘Is Rejaz religious? Which organisation is he linked to?’” Rejaz said, further alleging that officers advised his parents to discourage him from engaging in protests.
In a pointed critique of Kerala’s Left Democratic Front (LDF) government, Rejaz accused it of double standards and saffronisation of law enforcement.
“This shows the hypocrisy of the ruling LDF government and the saffronisation of Kerala Police. Government and Left leaders talk about Palestine and their freedom, but they are trying to link people who protest for the same cause with terrorism,” he said.
“The questions asked by the ATS weren’t normal—they were taken from Hindutva’s WhatsApp university,” he added.
Rejaz has previously been booked by Kerala Police following a report he published on Maktoob. The story was about the anti-Muslim bias in Kerala that led to the detention of Muslim youths, without any leads, in connection with the Kalamassery blasts. The Vadakara police booked Rejaz and Maktoob editor, in a suo moto case alleging provocation with intent to cause a riot in his news report.
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