Mumbai police search activist’s home over kite event for Palestinian children

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The Mumbai police allegedly searched the residence of an activist in Mumbai on Friday (September 18, 2026) in connection with a kite-flying event held to show solidarity with Palestinian children. 

The activist, Harshada, is a student and a volunteer associated with the citizens’ group Indian People in Solidarity with Palestine. The 26-year-old said five members of the group were present at her home during the search and were not permitted to leave.

Activists claimed that the police questioned a sixth person at Bandra police station before releasing that person in the evening.

Participants across the world flew kites on September 15 to raise awareness about Israel’s war on Gaza.

The group said individuals in plainclothes claiming to be police officers came to Harshada’s residence. Around 15 police officers were present at the location at one point, Ms. Harshada said.

The uniformed personnel began the search at 5:30 p.m. in the absence of a warrant, written notice, or any official documentation, the group said.

In a post on social media on Saturday (September 19), the group said: “More than nine hours — and counting — for ‘searching’ a person’s place of residence without a warrant merely for flying kites in solidarity with Palestinian children.”

Ms. Harshada said the police prepared a list of her books and recorded photographs and videos during the search. She said the police took the mobile phones of two persons who were with her and returned them two hours later after they asked.

One officer was allegedly inebriated and spoke rudely to those present, Ms. Harshada said. She said the officers present did not take responsibility for each other’s statements or actions, and said, “I did not take the phone; do not talk to me,” when questioned.

She said that when she was being taken away, two friends who were at a library accompanied her. The police put handcuffs on them, used abusive language, took their mobile phones and checked the data in them, she said.

The police later filed a panchnama, Ms. Harshada said. A panchnama is a document that records the observations, findings and evidence collected by an investigating officer during a search.

The group said the police action amounted to an assault on democratic rights and civil liberties and a violation of the right to privacy. It demanded action against the illegal actions of the police.

The Hindu tried to contact senior police inspector Ravindra Salunkhe, who refused to comment.

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