‘Humanity is a privilege’: Umar Khalid on his six years in an Indian jail without trial
‘Humanity is a privilege’: Umar Khalid on his six years in an Indian jail without trial
Humanity is a privilege - India’s political landscape has witnessed a surge in dissent suppression, and few names have become synonymous with this trend more than Umar Khalid. Jailed for nearly six years without a trial, Khalid’s experience in Delhi’s Tihar prison has sparked both domestic and international debate. His journey from a passionate student leader to a symbol of government overreach began in 2019, a year that saw sweeping anti-government protests across the country. These demonstrations, which challenged the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, were led by Khalid, a Muslim and leftwing activist who has since been branded a “terrorist” and “anti-national.” His incarceration, which began in September 2020, has drawn comparisons to historical moments of imprisonment, as he reflects on the psychological toll of captivity.
A Life Shaped by Resistance
Khalid’s activism is rooted in his upbringing in Jamia Nagar, a Muslim-majority neighborhood in south-east Delhi. There, he saw firsthand the growing divide between communities as Hindu nationalist ideology took hold. “I grew up in a Muslim enclave, but I also saw how the rise of religious politics began eroding the rights of my people,” he said. His early years as a student organizer laid the foundation for his later role in national protests, which he describes as a pivotal moment in India’s recent political history. “The 2019 demonstrations were the first major crack in the Modi government’s narrative of unity,” he remarked. “They exposed the vulnerabilities of a system that claims to be secular but increasingly promotes division.”
The charges against Khalid—termed as “key conspirator” in Delhi’s deadly religious riots and a plotter of “violent regime change”—have been central to his legal battle. The government alleges that his activities fueled communal violence, but Khalid insists these accusations are politically motivated. “The prosecution is not about justice; it’s about silencing a voice that questions the government’s policies,” he stated. The case has been used as a tool to target opponents of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), whose 12-year tenure has been marked by widespread claims of judicial politicization. For rights groups, Khalid represents the growing crackdown on dissent under Modi’s leadership.
The Weight of Captivity
Prison life, Khalid explains, is an emotional grind. He described the setting of Tihar as a place where “the mind is as confined as the body.” Each day, he faces the monotony of enforced silence, with the walls of his cell echoing the weight of uncertainty. “There’s a particular dread that sets in as the sun dips below the horizon,” he said, noting how this moment mirrors the despair of a 19th-century Russian author. “Even Dostoevsky wrote about the psychological toll of imprisonment, and I can’t help but feel a connection to that timeless struggle.”
The lack of a trial has been a defining aspect of Khalid’s experience. For six years, he has been confined to a cell, his fate hanging in the balance. The judicial process, he argues, has been manipulated to serve political ends. “The system is supposed to be impartial, but in practice, it’s a weapon,” he said. “It’s been used to crush dissenters like me.” The Indian government, however, maintains that its judiciary remains independent and that Khalid’s case is a straightforward legal matter. “The prosecution is not connected to politics,” said officials, though Khalid and his supporters see it differently.
International Solidarity and Domestic Backlash
Khalid’s ordeal has not gone unnoticed abroad. International human rights organizations have condemned his imprisonment as unjust, highlighting the lack of due process. Even figures like Zohran Mamdani, mayor of New York, have shown solidarity. “I’ve received a handwritten note from Mamdani, which meant a lot,” Khalid said. “It reminded me that my struggle isn’t invisible to the world.” Yet, this support has come with a cost. The Indian government has responded with frustration, calling Khalid’s critics “interference in internal affairs.”
Despite the challenges, Khalid’s resolve has not wavered. He describes the mental and physical toll of prolonged detention but remains steadfast in his critique of Hindu nationalism. “The normalization of hate speech and the glorification of violence against minorities have become part of the political fabric,” he said. “It’s no longer just rhetoric—it’s a reality.” He believes the Modi government has engineered a shift toward a “post-truth society,” where facts are secondary to ideology. “Today, the idea of a secular India is seen as a threat,” he added. “People are now conditioned to accept genocidal language as a sign of strength.”
Khalid’s time in prison has also deepened his awareness of the human cost of political imprisonment. He mentioned how the constant reduction to a “terrorist” label has eroded his sense of self. “When you’re just an image, whether positive or negative, it’s hard to keep your humanity intact,” he said. “Even those who support you forget that you’re a person with fears and flaws.” This sentiment is echoed by his family and friends, who have been the conduit for his recent interview. “The process of being stripped of your identity is gradual, but it’s devastating,” he shared. “You start questioning who you are, and the system ensures you never find the answer.”
A Legacy of Defiance
Though his legal case has been prolonged, Khalid’s voice remains a rallying point for activists. His T-shirts, which have become a symbol of resistance, are worn at protests where slogans demand justice. “The government tries to silence me, but it can’t erase the impact of my words,” he said. “People still remember the role I played in 2019, and that gives me strength.”
As he continues to advocate for his community, Khalid’s story is a microcosm of broader struggles in India. He criticizes the Modi administration for its policies that target minorities, particularly Muslims, and for creating an environment where dissent is met with swift punishment. “The persecution of Muslims has intensified under this regime,” he said. “It’s part of a systematic effort to redefine India’s identity.”
Khalid’s journey underscores the tension between individual rights and state power. While the BJP insists on the independence of its judicial system, his case raises questions about its fairness. “If the system is truly impartial, why has it taken six years to bring me to trial?” he asked. “Why does it allow political prisoners to languish without justice?” His words, delivered through family members, echo the frustrations of those who have watched similar cases unfold in silence. As the country moves forward, Khalid’s experience serves as a reminder of the price of speaking out in a time of political polarization. “Humanity is a privilege,” he said. “It’s not given to people like me, but it’s something I still strive to preserve.”
His story is one of resilience, a testament to the enduring spirit of those who challenge the status quo. Even as the sun sets over Tihar and the world continues to watch, Khalid remains a figure of defiance, his voice unbroken despite the years of confinement. “This is not just my battle,” he said. “It’s a fight for the soul of a nation that is changing before our eyes.”