New Delhi: Amitav Ghosh, Naseeruddin Shah, Romila Thapar, Jayati Ghosh, Harsh Mander and Christophe Jaffrelot are among the 160 academics, filmmakers, actors, activists and others who have signed a statement demanding the release of Umar Khalid and those arrested for protesting the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA).
Khalid completes 1600 days in prison today, January 30, 2025, which coincides with the 77th death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the statement points out. “We, the undersigned, are not unaware of this synchronicity. Nor do we wish to see it pass unnoticed,” it read.
Referring to Khalid’s prolonged incarceration under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the statement said, “We are deeply disturbed to witness how a bright and compassionate young man like Umar who is trained as a historian and nurtured as a critical thinker, has repeatedly been targeted, vilified and branded by an authoritarian regime.”
“Khalid, known for his eloquent speeches advocating for pluralism, secularism and constitutional values, has been falsely accused in the most brazenly twisted manner of conspiring to incite violence,” it added.
It also named other activists – Gulifsha Fatima, Sharjeel Imam, Khalid Saifi, Meeran Haider, Athar Khan and Shifa Ur Rahman – who have been targeted in the aftermath of the anti-CAA protests. “…repeated denial of bail and prolonged incarceration without trial is one of the most distressing aspects of Khalid’s case and that of the others,” the statement said.
The signatories also referred to a 2021 Delhi high court judgement where the bench had observed, “…in the mind of the state, the line between the constitutionally guaranteed right to protest and terrorist activity seems to be getting somewhat blurred.”
Referring to the use of anti-terror laws, the statement said, “Such laws along with inordinate judicial delays have created a situation where individuals are effectively punished through prolonged detention, without any trial, without being proven guilty.”
This story was originally published in thewire.in. Read the full story here.
