Kozhikode, January 08, 2024: On January 4th, six students from Farook College in Kozhikode, Kerala, were briefly detained by police for allegedly pasting pro-Palestine posters outside a local Starbucks outlet. The posters reportedly read “Free Palestine” and “Caution Contents May Fund Genocide.”
Following a complaint from the Starbucks staff, a case was registered against the students under sections 427 (mischief), 448 (trespass), and 153 (provocation for rioting) of the Indian Penal Code. However, the students were released on bail later the same day.
Local reports identified the students as members of the Fraternity Movement, the student wing of the Welfare Party of India, a political party advocating for Muslim causes. While the specific intent behind the posters remains unclear, the incident has sparked debate on freedom of expression, political activism, and potential corporate ties to controversial issues.
Starbucks itself has not issued any official statement regarding the incident. The company has previously faced criticism for its operations in Israel, with some activists calling for boycotts due to concerns about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
It is important to note that the students have not been convicted of any crime, and their actions are currently under investigation. The incident highlights the complex interplay between social activism, corporate responsibility, and individual expression in an increasingly interconnected world.
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