NEW DELHI – On the completion of 300 days of his incarceration, a Twitter campaign was launched on Saturday demanding the release of prominent student activist Umar Khalid under the hashtag #UmarKoRihaKaro.
Umar was arrested by the Delhi Police last year in connection with Delhi Riots and booked under stringent anti-terror law UAPA or Unlawful Activities Prevention Act. However, family members and prominent activists and leaders say that Umar is being punished for raising voice against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and other anti-people policies of the Narendra Modi government. They have been holding campaigns and webinars demanding his release.
On Saturday’s Twitter campaign, prominent personalities such Bollywood actress Richa Chadda, Gujarat MLA Jignesh Melvani and RJ Sayema raised their voice for his release.
Richa asked is Umar being projected as dangerous because he talks about unity and peace.
Sayema said that while Jamia shooter Rambhakt Gopal Sharma is not being jailed even though he calls for violence against Muslims, Umar and other activists have been incarcerated even though they did not break any law.
Sayema said that while Jamia shooter Rambhakt Gopal Sharma is not being jailed even though he calls for violence against Muslims, Umar and other activists have been incarcerated even though they did not break any law.
Another prominent Twitter user Hussain Haidry also pointed out the double standards in treatment of Umar and Sharma.
Umar Khalid’s father Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas shared a picture of Umar’s childhood and said they have stolen 300 days from Khalid.
Apart from them, there were a large number of people who tweeted in support of Umar demanding his release.