Protestors replace Picasso's ‘Motherhood’ with image of ‘Palestinian mother’ at National Gallery
London: Two activists from the group Youth Demand replaced Pablo Picasso’s painting Motherhood at the National Gallery in London with a photograph of a Gazan mother and child, calling for a two-way arms embargo on Israel. The incident took place on Wednesday, with protesters covering the 1901 artwork with the photograph and pouring red paint on the gallery floor to symbolise bloodshed in Gaza.
The protesters were identified as 23-year-old NHS worker Jai Halai and 21-year-old politics student Monday-Malachi Rosenfeld. The photograph used, taken by Anadolu Agency’s photojournalist Ali Jadallah, depicted a mother holding her injured child after an Israeli air strike at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City in 2023.
Halai, explaining the motive behind the action, stated: “I’m taking action with Youth Demand because it’s been over a year of seeing my colleagues in the healthcare field decimated by bombs and bullets.” He emphasised the need for a two-way arms embargo on Israel, citing that 87 per cent of the British public support this measure, while the government continues to arm Israel.
Rosenfeld, a Jewish student at Greenwich University, also condemned the situation, asserting, “As a Jew, I feel it’s my duty to call out the genocide being committed in Gaza. This is not being done in the Jewish name. When Keir Starmer says Britain stands with Israel, he’s wrong. We know very well this is not self-defence—this is genocide.”
A spokesperson for Youth Demand reiterated the group’s position, condemning the UK government for allegedly arming Israel to carry out genocide against Palestinians. The group vowed to continue resisting until justice is achieved.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has led to thousands of casualties, mostly women and children, with widespread displacement in Gaza due to the continued blockade, which has caused severe shortages of basic necessities. Israel currently faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza.
Protester covers Picasso's 'Motherhood' with an image of a Palestinian mother and child in a powerful act of protest. pic.twitter.com/ROV7woS8tW
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
