Arundhati Roy Urges India to Halt Arms Exports to Israel

Speaking at the Press Club of India, Roy condemned the state’s role in facilitating Israel’s military campaign, which has resulted in over 140,000 Palestinian casualties. She argued that the destruction of universities and hospitals in Gaza, broadcast to a global audience, necessitates a moral stance from the Indian public. Roy emphasized that India must prioritize its own constitutional obligations and international law over current government policy, which remains steadfast in its support for the Israeli offensive.

Legal and Moral Challenges

The campaign follows a formal letter sent to Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, signed by over two dozen prominent public figures. The signatories highlight that the International Court of Justice has already ruled Israel in violation of the Genocide Convention, suggesting that any further supply of military material—specifically the co-manufactured Hermes 900 drones—constitutes a direct breach of India's constitutional and legal mandates. The group demands an immediate halt to licensing and the cessation of labor exports meant to replace Palestinian workers in Israel. As nationwide protests organized by leftist groups gain momentum, the administration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi faces mounting pressure to address claims that its policies mirror colonial-era occupations, linking its regional stance on Jammu and Kashmir to its controversial alignment with Israel.