"Carrying a Palestine bag is not Muslim appeasement": CPI MP P Sandosh Kumar defends Priyanka Gandhi

New Delhi [India], December 16 : CPI MP P Sandosh Kumar on Monday defended Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for carrying a Palestine bag to Parliament and said that carrying a Palestine bag is not Muslim appeasement.
He also highlighted CPI's stance on the Palestine issue, emphasizing that it's a humanitarian concern rather than a Muslim-centric issue.
Speaking to ANI, Kumar said, "... Carrying a Palestine bag is not Muslim appeasement. Those who relate Palestine issue as Muslim issue are doing injustice because that is a humanitarian issue... It is a genuine international issue which we all have to support and CPI stands with Palestine..."
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra slammed BJP remarks on her carrying a bag with "Palestine" written on it, terming them "useless things."
The row erupted when Priyanka Gandhi was seen carrying the bag during a Parliament session. It had "Palestine" written on it and several emblems embedded in it, including a watermelon, a symbol which is often associated with Palestinian solidarity.
Reacting to the BJP's accusation of appeasement, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said that instead of talking about this "rubbish," the government should take some steps regarding the atrocities happening in Bangladesh, against minorities and Hindus.
She asserted that the Central government should talk to Bangladesh about this issue.
" The atrocities happening in Bangladesh, against minorities and Hindus...something should be done regarding this. Talks should be held with Bangladesh govt regarding this...and they should not say such useless things" Vadra told reporters in the Parliament premises.
The BJP seized on the opportunity to criticize her, alleging that the bag's inscription indicated her support for Palestine over India's interests. BJP MP Manoj Tiwari accused her of "appeasement" and said the Congress party uses different agendas to get votes by entangling them.
Manoj Tiwari said, "Congress does appeasement. They don't do anything good to the Muslim community. They use different agendas to get votes by entangling them. You may have heard PM Modi has said about Congress' one gimmick - 'Garibi Hatao', which was used by Nehru Ji, Indira Ji, Rajiv Ji and currently it is being used by both Rahul and Priyanka Ji. They love and support the people of the country by dividing them. Now, the people of the country knows this trick."
Union MoS SP Singh Bhagel noted that Vadra carrying a bag with Palestine written on it was not just a mere coincidence, rather it was an attempt to give a message.
He stated that through this move, she is trying to appease, satisfy and polarise the Muslim votes.
Baghel told ANI, "This is not just a coincidence, rather, it is being tried to give a message. If only she carried an Indian bag, which is unique for every district and is being made in several cities, including Agra, Kanpur, Chennai, etc. If she could use 'Swadeshi' product, as it could give huge boost to that industry...By carrying a bag written Palestine on it, she is trying to appease, satisfy and polarise the Muslim votes."
Notably, on December 11, Palestine Embassy Charge de Affairs Abed Elrazeg Abu Jazer met Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra at her residence to congratulate her on her victory in the Waynad Lok Sabha seat.
Since October 2023, Israel-Palestine has been engaged in an ongoing conflict after Hamas attacked Israel and captured its citizens.
According to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs, India has strongly condemned the terror attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023 and the loss of civilian lives in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
India's policy towards Palestine has been long-standing and consistent. We have supported a negotiated two-state solution, towards the establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine within secure and recognized borders, living side by side in peace with Israel, as per MEA.