In Kochi, Kerala, the ‘Names of Gaza’ protest organised on Thursday by the Chinta Ravi Foundation and the Palestine Solidarity Forum united writers, activists, students and Malayalam cinema artists to read aloud the names of Palestinian children killed by Israeli occupation.
At Vanchi Square, the protest drew writers, activists, students, and a strong presence from Malayalam cinema. Actors Jyothirmayi, Nikhila Vimal, Divya Prabha, Irshad, Lali PM, Pooja Mohanraj, filmmaker Aashiq Abu, singers Sitara Krishnakumar and Resmi Sateesh joined others on stage to read the names, voicing their solidarity with Palestine.
The evening blended resistance and remembrance, students performed dabke, the Palestinian folk dance, while placards demanding “Peace for Palestine” and “Long Live Gaza” were raised high.
Speaking virtually, Palestinian Ambassador to India Abdullah Abu Shawesh declared: “The real question is, how many relatives have you lost? Dozens of my relatives have been slaughtered by Israeli genocidal warfare.”
He read the names of his own family members, urging the world to remember every child not as a number but as a life.
Prominent voices like journalist Sashi Kumar, art curator Bose Krishnamachari, and educationist Mohan B. Menon also took part, reflecting on their personal and professional connections to Palestine.
Writer N.S. Madhavan, who conceptualized the programme, said: “One of the gravest injustices in human history is unfolding in Gaza. Every name is a testimony.”
The organizers announced that the recitations will continue across Kerala’s districts, ensuring that every child’s name is spoken aloud in public squares, from Kochi to Wayanad, until all 18,000 are remembered.
