'More than five years have passed':JNUSU march seeks release of Umar Khalid, others in 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case

Umar Khalid

Marking five years since activist Umar Khalid’s arrest, the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) on Saturday organised a march on campus, demanding his release along with others jailed in the Delhi riots conspiracy case.

The march, which began at Ganga dhaba and concluded at Sabarmati dhaba, drew students and relatives of the accused. Among them was Khalid’s father, who joined participants carrying placards and raising slogans against what they called prolonged and unjust incarceration.

“More than five years have passed since Umar, Sharjeel, Meeran, Gulfisha and others have been wrongfully incarcerated by the BJP-RSS regime. Yet again, their bail pleas have been rejected,” the JNUSU said in a statement, accusing the government of stifling dissent.

The protest followed a Supreme Court decision on Friday to adjourn hearing on the bail applications of the accused for another week. The apex court is now expected to take up the matter on September 19.

Earlier, the Delhi High Court had denied bail to nine accused, including Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, observing that “conspiratorial” violence under the garb of demonstrations or protests could not be permitted.

The JNUSU reiterated its demand for the immediate release of those behind bars, saying the case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) was being used to target dissenting voices.

Also read: ‘Hurried trial will affect rights, bail not a universal rule’: Delhi HC order denying bail to Umar, Sharjeel and others in 2020 Delhi riots case