Umar Khalid, a Muslim activist and PhD student-turned-political figure, has been held in Delhi’s Tihar prison for approximately six years without facing trial. Arrested in 2020 under India’s terrorism laws, Khalid was accused of involvement in deadly sectarian riots that occurred in Delhi in February 2020, allegations he denies. He was also charged alongside other activists with orchestrating communal violence as part of a broader conspiracy against the state.
Khalid rose to prominence over the past decade through student activism and participation in anti-government protests, particularly those opposing a citizenship law passed in 2019 that critics characterized as discriminatory toward Muslims. He delivered speeches at mass demonstrations calling for nonviolent resistance, stating “We won’t respond to violence with violence. We won’t respond to hate with hate.” International human rights organizations have condemned his prolonged detention without trial as unjust. The BJP government maintains that Khalid’s prosecution reflects independent judicial proceedings unconnected to politics, while critics contend it exemplifies a broader crackdown on government opponents.
In his first interview since incarceration, conducted through written correspondence due to prison restrictions, Khalid described the psychological challenges of confinement, including the difficult emotional period at sunset when inmates are confined to prison yards. He emphasized the toll of sustained propaganda portraying him as a terrorist, stating that such dehumanization strips individuals of their humanity. Despite years in custody, Khalid maintains his criticism of what he describes as Hindu nationalist policies and the marginalization of India’s Muslim population, numbering approximately 200 million.
Khalid’s case has become emblematic for rights advocates of alleged judicial weaponization under the Modi administration, which has governed India for 12 years. Multiple judges assigned to consider his bail applications have recused themselves or repeatedly denied requests for release. Delhi police have faced mounting accusations of fabricating evidence and forging witness statements in cases stemming from the 2020 riots, though they have not responded to these allegations. While other individuals charged in the same case have received bail, Khalid remains incarcerated as investigations continue without an established trial date.
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