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
— PALESTINE ONLINE 🇵🇸 (@OnlinePalEng) October 9, 2024
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Gujarat HC orders man to deposit Rs 1 lakh for attending virtual proceedings from toilet
Ahmedabad, July 14 (PTI): The Gujarat High Court on Monday directed a man, facing contempt of court for attending a virtual court hearing while relieving himself on a toilet seat, to deposit Rs 1 lakh with the court's registry after observing that he was ready to tender an unconditional apology.
The incident occurred on June 20 when Justice Nirzar S Desai was hearing a case. A video of the man soon went viral, prompting the high court to initiate suo motu contempt proceedings.
On Monday, the division bench of Justices AS Supehia and RT Vachhani directed the man, identified as Samad Abdul Rehman Shah, to deposit Rs 1 lakh in the court registry by July 22, the next date of the hearing.
"The contemnor has admitted to his conduct during the live-streaming proceedings and submitted that he was ready to tender an unconditional apology. Thus, at this stage, we direct the contemnor to deposit the amount of Rs 1 lakh before the registry of this court by the next date of hearing," the court ordered.
According to the report submitted to the court, Shah attended the hearing on June 20 for a total of 74 minutes, during which he was seen sitting on a toilet and relieving himself.
Shah's lawyer told the court that his client would tender an unconditional apology for his behaviour.
When questioned, the lawyer confirmed he had advised Shah to present himself appropriately for the hearing.
The now-infamous video showed Shah using a toilet during the proceedings, sparking outrage and leading the court to order the video’s immediate removal and ban, citing damage to the judiciary’s image.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the Gujarat High Court has permitted lawyers and litigants to join hearings virtually. Proceedings are live-streamed via the court's YouTube channel.
After finishing his business, Shah was seen picking up his phone and leaving. Justice Desai appeared unaware of his surroundings at the time.
Wearing wireless earphones, he can be seen logging in again later in the livestream, sitting in a room and waiting for his turn.
After nearly 10 minutes, he identified himself as Abdul Samad Shah, a resident of Kim village in Surat and the complainant in an assault case.
His lawyers told the court that Shah had lodged a complaint against two individuals but that a compromise had been reached between both parties.
While hearing the petition filed by the accused seeking to quash the FIR, Justice Desai asked Shah if he consented to the plea. Upon hearing Shah’s no-objection, the judge approved the petition.
