'Bosnia is always with Palestine' hundreds of protesters take to street in Bosnia against Israel
Sarajevo: In a display of solidarity with the people of Palestine and condemnation of Israel's actions in Gaza, hundreds of protesters marched through the streets of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, on Sunday. The demonstration, held in Sarajevo's Bascarsija district, braved adverse weather conditions to voice support for Palestine, carrying flags and placards denouncing occupation and the tragic loss of life, particularly among children.
The protesters, undeterred by rain, chanted slogans and displayed a banner reading, "Palestine, you are not alone, Bosnia is always with you." The message resonated with the historical context, referencing the atrocities suffered by Bosnian Muslims during the 1990s massacres carried out by Serb soldiers.
The Bosnian conflict erupted in 1992, resulting in the loss of thousands of Bosnian Muslim lives. The Srebrenica massacre in July 1995, where over 8,000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys were killed, remains a stark reminder of the brutalities endured. The Bosnian protesters sought to draw parallels between their own history and the plight of Palestinians in the face of Israeli attacks.
Safija Tadefi, one of the organizers, highlighted the objective of raising awareness about the dire situation in Palestine and advocating for a ceasefire, an end to genocide, apartheid, and ethnic cleansing. She stressed the recurring need for peaceful walks to express solidarity with Palestine, calling on individuals in influential countries, especially the USA, to pressure their governments to intervene and halt the violence.
The protesters congregated in front of Sebilje fountain in Baščaršija and proceeded towards the center of Aria, where a humanitarian bazaar was organized. The initiative included efforts to collect donations for essential supplies, such as waterproof tents, to be delivered to Gaza.
Safija Tadefi emphasized collaboration with the organization Human Appeal, actively involved in providing aid in Gaza. The protest aimed not only to express support but also to contribute to humanitarian efforts to alleviate the suffering caused by the ongoing conflict.
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KSCA expresses disappointment over missing IPL playoffs, says it was ready to host matches in B’luru
Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has issued a clarification stating that it was fully prepared to host the IPL playoffs and final matches in Bengaluru but the fixtures were allotted to other venues.
In a media note, KSCA said it was disappointed with the decision. The association stated that its president, former India cricketer Venkatesh Prasad, had been in touch with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and had formally conveyed the association’s readiness and interest in hosting the matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
KSCA said the IPL matches held in Bengaluru this season were appreciated for smooth conduct, crowd management and overall experience for spectators. It said this reflected its ability to handle high-profile matches.
The association also stated that it had sent a detailed communication to the BCCI explaining its preparedness and the operational arrangements followed during the current IPL season. According to KSCA, these systems have been in place since the start of the Indian Premier League in 2008 and were followed consistently, including during previous playoff matches hosted in Bengaluru.
The clarification added that the communication sent to the BCCI was only meant to provide factual and operational details and to bring clarity on logistical and stakeholder-related requirements involved in hosting such matches.
KSCA said that although it had shown willingness and preparedness, the BCCI has decided to allocate the playoff matches to other venues. It added that the reasons for this decision have not been formally shared with the association, but it respects the authority of the board in taking such decisions.
The association further said it remains ready to host matches of national and international importance and will continue to cooperate with the BCCI, franchises, government authorities and other stakeholders for conducting cricket events.
The statement was issued by KSCA official spokesperson Vinay Mruthyunjaya, who also thanked the media and cricket fans for their continued support.
