{{Short description|Indian student activist (born 1987)}} {{Distinguish}} {{protection padlock|blp|small=yes}} {{Use Indian English|date=August 2022}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}} {{Infobox person | name = Umar Khalid | image = Umar khalid (cropped).jpg | caption = Khalid during May Day in 2016 | birth_name = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|11 August 1987}} | birth_place = Delhi, India | education = {{Plainlist| * Delhi University (BA) * Jawaharlal Nehru University (MA, MPhil, PhD) }} | movement = Justice for Najeeb Movement | father = S. Q. R. Ilyas | years_active = 2016–present | organization = | known_for = Citizenship Amendment Act protests }} '''Syed Umar Khalid''' (born 11 August 1987) is an Indian social activist and a former student leader.<ref>{{cite web |last=Sebastian |first=Kritika Sharma |date=24 February 2016 |title=Umar Khalid, an activist on campus |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/umar-khalid-an-activist-on-campus/article8273807.ece |access-date=30 August 2018 |work=The Hindu |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> A former research scholar at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, he rose to prominence in national politics when Delhi Police detained him in 2016, over the JNU sedition row, along with Anirban Bhattacharya and Kanhaiya Kumar.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/jnu-missing-student-studetsns-protest-3094202/|title=Student organisations divided over JNUSU's latest form of protest|date=21 October 2016|work=The Indian Express|access-date=30 August 2018}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/fyi/story/10-things-you-should-know-about-umar-khalid-309919-2016-02-22|title=10 things you should know about Umar Khalid|work=India Today|access-date=6 March 2019|agency=Ist}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/umar-khalid-an-activist-on-campus/article8273807.ece|title=Umar Khalid, an activist on campus|last=Sebastian|first=Kritika Sharma|date=24 February 2016|work=The Hindu|access-date=30 August 2018|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> In 2017, he started the ''United Against Hate'' campaign with Nadeem Khan and others, in response to a series of hate crimes in north Indian states.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theprint.in/india/united-against-hate-the-fact-finding-group-accused-of-conspiracy-in-delhi-riots/442438/|title=United Against Hate, the 'fact-finding' group accused of conspiracy in Delhi riots|work=The Print |date=20 June 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thequint.com/voices/opinion/batla-house-review-umar-khalid#read-more|title=In 'Batla House', It is Cinematic Liberties vs Facts: Umar Khalid|work=The Quint|date=18 August 2019|access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Joshi |first=Shamani |date=2020-09-15 |title=This Civil Rights Group Fights Hate Crimes. Now, Its Members Are Being Arrested Under India's Controversial Anti-Terror Law. |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/civil-rights-group-fights-hate-crimes-members-arrested-under-indias-controversial-anti-terror-law-uapa-umar-khalid-united-against-hate/ |access-date=2026-05-25 |website=VICE |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2018, a cow vigilante group attempted to assassinate him.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Jaffrelot |first=Christophe |title=Modi's India: Hindu Nationalism and the Rise of Ethnic Democracy |date=2021 |publisher=Princeton University Press |others=Cynthia Schoch |isbn=978-0-691-22309-4 |edition=1 |location=Princeton}}</ref> Between the winter of 2019 and 2020, he participated in nationwide protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sengupta |first=Shuddhabrata |title=Umar Khalid's case and the state's strategy against dissent |url=https://caravanmagazine.in/law/the-case-against-umar-khalid-and-the-state-strategy-against-dissent |access-date=2026-05-27 |website=Caravan Magazine |language=en}}</ref>
Khalid has been detained several times. In February 2016, he was arrested by the Delhi Police for his alleged involvement in the JNU sedition row, in which anti-India slogans were allegedly raised by unknown persons following a protest organized against the capital punishment meted out to the 2001 Indian Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. Pro-BJP news channels aired several falsified videos as evidence.<ref>{{Cite news |title='Hate' Words Inserted In JNU Videos, No 'Pakistan Zindabad': Probe |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/2-videos-of-jnu-event-manipulated-finds-forensic-probe-sources-1283105 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250611034308/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/2-videos-of-jnu-event-manipulated-finds-forensic-probe-sources-1283105 |archive-date=2025-06-11 |access-date=2026-05-26 |publisher=NDTV |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Chakravarty |first=Ipsita |date=2020-01-06 |title=From 'tukde, tukde gang' to fee hike protests: How JNU became the government's bugbear |url=https://scroll.in/article/948933/from-tukde-tukde-gang-to-fee-hike-protests-how-jnu-became-the-governments-bugbear |access-date=2026-05-26 |website=Scroll.in |language=en}}</ref> He was subsequently released on bail.<ref>{{cite news|title=JNU's Umar Khalid, Anirban Bhattacharya Get Bail, Kanhaiya Kumar Order Helps|url=http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/jnu-students-anirban-and-umar-khalid-arrested-on-sedition-charges-get-bail-1288557|publisher=NDTV|access-date=25 September 2016|date=18 March 2016}}</ref> Khalid was re-arrested in September 2020 for his alleged involvement in the 2020 Delhi riots. According to independent legal analysis, the police evidence against him is weak and inconsistent.<ref>{{cite news |date=9 June 2023 |title=Activists stand in solidarity with former JNU student Umar khalid as he completes 1,000 days of incarceration in Delhi riots case |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/activists-stand-in-solidarity-with-former-jnu-student-umar-khalid-as-he-completes-1000-days-of-incarceration-in-delhi-riots-case/articleshow/100883704.cms |access-date=25 November 2024 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite news |date=2024-01-23 |title=Umar Khalid: Indian activist languishes in jail without bail or trial |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-67980484 |access-date=2026-05-27 |work=BBC |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Iyer |first=Aishwarya S. |date=2021-01-04 |title='Ask Police How Charge Sheet Was Leaked': Umar Khalid Tells Court |url=https://www.thequint.com/news/india/delhi-riots-umar-khalid-court-charge-sheet-media-trial |access-date=2026-05-27 |website=TheQuint |language=en}}</ref>
Considered a political prisoner, he has since been imprisoned in Tihar Jail and has consistently been denied bail, with his court trial yet to begin.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bakshi |first=Gursimran Kaur |date=10 June 2023 |title=As Dr Umar Khalid completes 1,000 days behind bars, it is the justice system which is on trial |url=https://theleaflet.in/criminal-justice/as-dr-umar-khalid-completes-1000-days-behind-bars-it-is-the-justice-system-which-is-on-trial |access-date=25 November 2024 |work=The Leaflet}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title='Prisoner No. 626710 is Present': An Exploration of Umar Khalid and the Spirit of His Freedom |url=https://m.thewire.in/article/film/prisoner-no-626710-is-present-film-umar-khalid |access-date=25 November 2024 |work=The Wire}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Mishra |first=Ishita |date=13 September 2024 |title=Four years and counting, Umar Khalid languishes in jail without bail or trial |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/four-years-and-counting-umar-khalid-languishes-in-jail-without-bail-or-trial/article68640212.ece |access-date=25 November 2024 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> In January 2026, the Supreme Court of India acknowledged the delay in trial, but citing the seriousness of the charges denied him bail.<ref>{{cite news|date=5 January 2026 |title=Supreme Court denies bail petition of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/umar-khalid-sharjeel-imam-delhi-riots-case-accused-hearing-verdict-supreme-court-january-5-2026/article70472859.ece |access-date=5 January 2026 |work=The Hindu |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Umar Khalid's Bail Application Tracker |url=https://www.scobserver.in/journal/umar-khalid-bail-application-tracker/ |access-date=2026-05-27 |website=Supreme Court Observer |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Early life and education== Umar Khalid was born in Jamia Nagar, New Delhi. His father, Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas, is from Maharashtra, while his mother is from Western Uttar Pradesh.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rt_Y_jh8Xc0|title=Umar Khalid on Decoding India|date=27 August 2018|work=SKEP|access-date=5 May 2020|language=en-US}}</ref> S. Q. R. Ilyas is the National President of the Welfare Party of India and a former member of Students Islamic Movement of India, which, he left in 1985, and was banned in 2001.<ref>{{cite news |url =https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/kanhaiya-kumarsyed-qasim-rasool-ilyas-jnu-students-father-if-youe-branding-him-a-traitor-for-my-simi-past/|title =JNU student's father: If you're branding him a traitor for my (SIMI) past|work =The Indian Express|quote =Ilyas is now the national president of Welfare Party of India, which operates out of Abul Fazl Enclave in southeast Delhi.|location =New Delhi|date =19 February 2016|author =Pritha Chatterjee|access-date =12 June 2020}}</ref><ref name=autogenerated2>{{cite web |url=https://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/india/terroristoutfits/simi.htm |title=Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) |access-date=28 January 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2 February 2019 |title='They will disturb secular fabric': Government extends ban on SIMI by five years |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/ban-on-simi-extended-by-5-years/story-9MmL1HqT6VqFGkrGhaNiOP.html |access-date=22 April 2022 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref>
Khalid studied history at the Kirori Mal College of the Delhi University.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/jnu-row-my-name-is-umar-khalid-and-i-am-a-delhi-university-student/|title=My name is Umar Khalid and I am a Delhi University student…|date=28 February 2016|work=The Indian Express|access-date=29 August 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> He earned his master's and MPhil in history at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). His MPhil dissertation was on 'Hos of Singhbhum'.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/jnu-protest-sedition-umar-khalid-anirban-my-student/|title=Umar Khalid, My Student|date=26 February 2016|work=The Indian Express|access-date=29 August 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> Khalid describes himself as a radical democrat<ref name=":7" /> and not a practising Muslim.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/umar-khalid-not-a-practising-muslim/article8255254.ece|title='Umar Khalid not a practising Muslim'|newspaper=The Hindu|date=19 February 2016|last1=Sebastian|first1=Kritika Sharma}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://theprint.in/opinion/umar-khalid-leftist-participated-in-twitter-trend-praising-prophet/309339/|title=Umar Khalid: Why I, a Leftist, participated in a Twitter trend praising the Prophet|website=ThePrint |date=22 October 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/i-feel-like-the-character-in-the-reluctant-fundamentalist-umar-khalid/articleshow/51465953.cms|title='I feel like the character in The Reluctant fundamentalist': Umar Khalid|website=The Times of India |date=19 March 2016 }}</ref> He met his longtime partner Banojyotsna Lahiri in 2008 and began dating five years later.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Raj |first=Suhasini |date=2024-10-22 |title=Four Years in Jail Without Trial: The Price of Dissent in Modi's India |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/22/world/asia/india-muslim-dissent.html |access-date=2026-05-26 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name=":7" />
Khalid's 2018 doctoral dissertation at JNU focused on the transformation of Adivasi society in Singhbhum under British rule.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/fyi/story/10-things-you-should-know-about-umar-khalid-309919-2016-02-22|title=10 things you should know about Umar Khalid|website=India Today|date=22 February 2016 |language=en|access-date=10 September 2018}}</ref> According to Ramachandra Guha, "it was one of the most accomplished doctoral dissertations by an Indian" he had read.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Guha |first=Ramachandra |date=2026-01-07 |title=Ramachandra Guha: In praise of Dr Umar Khalid, from one historian to another |url=https://scroll.in/article/1089800/ramachandra-guha-in-praise-of-dr-umar-khalid-from-one-historian-to-another |access-date=2026-05-25 |website=Scroll.in |language=en}}</ref> Following his PhD, Khalid published a research article titled "Changing Village Authority in an Adivasi Hinterland: State, Community and Contingencies of Rule in Singhbhum, 1830–1897" in the journal ''Social Scientist'' in 2018.<ref name=":3">{{Cite journal |jstor = 26530805|language=en-US|title=Changing Village Authority in an Adivasi Hinterland|last1=Khalid|first1=Syed Umar|journal=Social Scientist|year=2018|volume=46|issue=5–6|pages=77–86}}</ref> He has published several essays on The Caravan and The Telegraph. In February 2026, an anthology titled ''"Umar Khalid and His World''" was published.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Banerjee |first=Argha |date=April 24, 2026 |title=A prisoner of conscience |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/books/a-prisoner-of-conscience-umar-khalid-and-his-world-an-anthology-is-a-poignant-chronicle-of-the-alleged-stifling-of-dissension-by-the-state-prnt/cid/2157543 |work=The Telegraph}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2026-04-28 |title=Experts reflect on democracy and dissent at Bengaluru event on Umar Khalid |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/experts-reflect-on-democracy-and-dissent-at-bengaluru-event-on-umar-khalid/article70917746.ece |access-date=2026-05-28 |work=The Hindu |language=en |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
== Activism and controversies ==
=== JNU sedition row === {{Main|JNU sedition row}} On 9 February 2016, students of JNU held a protest on their campus against the capital punishment meted out to the 2001 Indian Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru and Kashmiri separatist Maqbool Bhat.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/news/story/jnu-afzal-guru-308204-2016-02-11|title=Afzal Guru: A martyr in JNU campus? Anti-India slogans raised, no arrests made|website=India Today|date=11 February 2016 |language=en|access-date=12 September 2018}}</ref> As per DM report, pro-Kashmir independence slogans were raised by elements in the crowd.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-03-04 |title=Fact-finding report on JNU row: Need to probe Khalid's role, says DM report |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/fact-finding-report-on-jnu-row-need-to-probe-khalids-role-says-dm-report/ |access-date=2026-05-23 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> A forensic probe found two of seven videos to be "manipulated".<ref>{{Cite news |date=2016-03-02 |title=Two of seven JNU videos manipulated, finds forensic probe |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/JNU-row-Two-of-seven-videos-manipulated-says-forensic-probe-report/article60515298.ece |access-date=2026-05-23 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
Four days after the event, Delhi Police arrested JNU Students Union (JNUSU) president Kanhaiya Kumar on charges of sedition and criminal conspiracy.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/afzal-guru-film-screening-jnu-student-leader-held-for-sedition/|title=JNU student leader held on 'sedition' charges over Afzal Guru event|date=13 February 2016|work=The Indian Express|access-date=10 September 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> Five other students including Khalid went into hiding. After their return 10 days later, Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya were taken into custody.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/jnu-row-kanhaiya-kumar-to-lead-push-for-umar-and-anirbans-release-from-custody-2672974.html|title=JNU row: Kanhaiya Kumar to lead push for Umar and Anirban's release from custody|website=firstpost.com|date=14 March 2016|access-date=12 October 2018}}</ref>
The arrest and the use of sedition charges were widely criticized as suppression of political dissent.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://indiaresists.com/umar-khalid-is-being-targeted-separately/|title=The Way Umar Khalid Is Being Singled Out Proves Him Right|last=Wahab|first=Hisham ul|date=29 February 2016|work=India Resists|access-date=15 September 2018|language=en-GB|archive-date=11 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111224759/https://indiaresists.com/umar-khalid-is-being-targeted-separately/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-35576855|title=Why an Indian student has been arrested for sedition|last=Majumder|first=Sanjoy|date=15 February 2016|work=BBC News|access-date=10 September 2018|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/blogs/asia/2016/02/delhi-campus-row-seizes-national-attention-160214161846243.html|title=New Delhi campus row grabs national attention|publisher=Al Jazeera|access-date=10 September 2018}}</ref> An inquiry committee appointed by the administration of JNU meted out varying punishments to a number of students. Kanhaiya Kumar was fined 10,000 rupees while Khalid and Bhattacharya were rusticated for one semester.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/JNU-sedition-row-Kanhaiya-fined-Rs-10000-Umar-Khalid-rusticated-for-one-semester/articleshow/51980941.cms|title=JNU sedition row: Kanhaiya fined Rs 10,000, Umar Khalid rusticated for one semester – Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=10 September 2018}}</ref> JNU refused to allow Umar Khalid to submit his PhD thesis in July 2018.<ref>{{Cite news |title=JNU refuses to accept Umar's PhD thesis |language=en |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/jnu-refuses-to-accept-umars-phd-thesis/article24498994.ece |access-date=12 September 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=JNU says Umar, 2 others can't submit PhD papers – Times of India |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/jnu-says-umar-2-others-cant-submit-phd-papers/articleshow/65110109.cms |access-date=12 September 2018}}</ref> Khalid went to the Delhi High Court,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Despite HC Order, JNU Refuses to Accept PhD Thesis of Umar Khalid |url=https://thewire.in/education/despite-hc-order-jnu-refuses-to-accept-phd-thesis-of-umar-khalid |access-date=12 September 2018 |website=The Wire}}</ref><ref name="The Indian Express">{{Cite news |date=25 July 2018 |title=Allow five to submit thesis, Delhi HC tells JNU |language=en-US |work=The Indian Express |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/allow-five-to-submit-thesis-delhi-hc-tells-jnu/ |access-date=12 September 2018}}</ref> and obtained an order allowing him to submit his thesis.<ref name="The Indian Express" /> On 2 August 2018, JNU accepted the PhD thesis submission.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |date=3 August 2018 |title=JNU accepts Umar's thesis |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/jnu-accepts-umars-thesis/article24586433.ece |access-date=12 September 2018 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=JNU Accepts Umar Khalid's PhD Thesis after Repeated Snubbing by HC |url=https://caravandaily.com/portal/jnu-accepts-umar-khalids-phd-thesis-after-repeated-snubbing-by-hc/ |access-date=12 September 2018 |website=caravandaily.com |language=en-US |archive-date=16 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116091221/https://caravandaily.com/portal/jnu-accepts-umar-khalids-phd-thesis-after-repeated-snubbing-by-hc/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
On 28 February 2020, the Delhi government gave its approval for a trial in the sedition case.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/delhi-government-gives-nod-for-prosecuting-kanhaiya-kumar-and-two-others-in-jnu-sedition-case/articleshow/74399758.cms|title=Delhi Government gives nod for prosecuting Kanhaiya Kumar and two others in JNU sedition case|work=The Economic Times|date=28 February 2020|access-date=15 September 2020}}</ref>
=== Justice for Najeeb movement === {{Main|Disappearance of Najeeb Ahmed}}
Umar Khalid was active in the student protests which followed the suspicious disappearance of Najeeb Ahmed from his JNU hostel on 15 October 2016 after he was allegedly assaulted by students affiliated to the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). Speaking to ''The Hindu'', Khalid said the administration had not filed a police complaint regarding the incident (and only the family and students had) and have not taken action against those who attacked Najeeb.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2016-10-22 |title=Umar Khalid criticises JNU 'inaction' in Najeeb case |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/Umar-Khalid-criticises-JNU-%E2%80%98inaction%E2%80%99-in-Najeeb-case/article16079213.ece |access-date=2024-05-31 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> In June 2017, he was fined by the university administration along with three other students for 20,000 rupees each and was issued immediate hostel transfer.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2017-06-02 |title=Four JNU students fined for protesting for Najeeb |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/four-jnu-students-fined-for-protesting-for-najeeb/article18710252.ece |access-date=2024-05-31 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
On 15 October 2019, '''''United Against Hate''''' (a campaign group) organised a protest march at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi to mark three years of the disappearance of Najeeb. Khalid expressed his solidarity and joined the march alleging that the fact that investigative agencies including the CBI have not made any progress showed that there have been no efforts to find Najeeb, while his attackers were being protected.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kumar |first=Jaishree |date=2019-10-17 |title='Where is Najeeb?': Three years after JNU student's disappearance, Jantar Mantar protest demands answers |url=https://www.newslaundry.com/2019/10/17/where-is-najeeb-three-years-after-jnu-students-disappearance-jantar-mantar-protest-demands-answers |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=Newslaundry |language=en}}</ref>
=== Bhima Koregaon incident === {{Main|2018 Bhima Koregaon violence}}
Along with Jignesh Mevani, Umar Khalid was booked for giving 'provocative' speeches in Pune. The criminal charges against Mevani and Khalid was for promoting enmity between different groups through their speeches. The Elgar Parishad rally, where this reportedly happened, was held in Pune to mark the 200th year of the Battle of Koregaon, a place in present-day Pune district, which was fought between the then British Indian Army and the Peshwas.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/fir-registered-against-jignesh-mevani-umar-khaid-for-provocative-speeches-in-pune-bhima-koregaon-5010950/|title=Bhima-Koregaon violence: FIR against Jignesh Mevani, Umar Khalid for 'provocative' speeches in Pune|date=4 January 2018|work=The Indian Express|access-date=13 August 2018|language=en-US}}</ref>
=== Assassination attempt === On 13 August 2018, Khalid survived an assassination attempt outside the Constitution Club, near the parliament.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/umar-khalid-shot-constitution-club-of-india-delhi-unhurt-5304467/|title=JNU's Umar Khalid has narrow escape, assailant's gun jams|date=13 August 2018|work=The Indian Express|access-date=13 August 2018|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://cjp.org.in/dastardly-attempt-to-assassinate-umar-khalid/|title=Dastardly attempt to assassinate Umar Khalid {{!}} CJP|date=13 August 2018|work=CJP|access-date=29 August 2018|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/protesters-ask-police-why-no-action/articleshow/65431399.cms|title=Attack on Umar Khalid: Protesters ask police why no action – Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=12 September 2018}}</ref> Police arrested the two accused on 20 August 2018 from Fatehabad, Haryana. Before the arrest, they had uploaded a video on Facebook on 15 August, saying the attack was an Independence Day gift for India.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Two Men Who Claimed Responsibility for Attack on Umar Khalid Sent to Judicial Custody |url=https://thewire.in/rights/two-men-who-claimed-responsibility-for-attack-on-umar-khalid-sent-to-judicial-custody |access-date=2026-05-28 |website=The Wire |language=en}}</ref> They claimed they were cow vigilantes.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/delhi-court-sends-2-men-who-attacked-umar-khalid-to-judicial-custody/articleshow/65518044.cms|title=Delhi court sends 2 men who attacked Umar Khalid to judicial custody – Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=29 August 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/jnu-student-umar-khalid-survives-attack-outside-delhis-constitution-club-attacker-escapes/articleshow/65385813.cms|title=JNU student leader Umar Khalid attacked in Delhi, escapes unhurt|work=The Times of India|access-date=30 August 2018}}</ref>
== 2020 Incarceration and Delhi riots == {{Main|2020 Delhi riots}}
Umar Khalid was booked under UAPA by Delhi Police for his alleged "provocative speeches" during the visit of American President Donald Trump to India.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Delhi Police Books Umar Khalid, Meeran Haider, Safoora Zargar Under UAPA|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/delhi-riots-police-books-umar-khalid-meeran-haider-safoora-zargar-under-uapa_in_5e9fb770c5b6a486d0811c0c|date=22 April 2020|website=HuffPost India|language=en|access-date=10 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=A Lockdown of Rights: Umar Khalid, Yogendra Yadav on Delhi Arrests|url=https://www.thequint.com/videos/news-videos/a-lockdown-of-rights-in-conversation-with-umar-khalid-and-yogendra-yadav-on-delhi-violence-arrests-amid-covid19-lockdown|date=5 May 2020|website=The Quint|language=en|access-date=10 May 2020}}</ref> Delhi police considered his speeches as instigating and facilitating the 2020 Delhi riots.<ref>{{Cite web|title=This is an attack on us all: Student leaders shocked after Umar Khalid charged under UAPA|url=https://www.edexlive.com/news/2020/apr/23/this-is-an-attack-on-us-all-student-leaders-shocked-after-umar-khalid-charged-under-uapa-11525.html|website=The New Indian Express|date=23 April 2020 |access-date=10 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=22 April 2020|title=Charge against former JNU student leader Umar Khalid not yet clear|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/charge-against-former-jnu-student-leader-umar-khalid-not-yet-clear/article31403509.ece|access-date=10 May 2020|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> On 14 September 2020, Khalid was arrested by the Delhi Police Special Cell as an alleged conspirator in the Delhi Riots case.<ref>{{cite news |title=Umar Khalid held for Delhi riots 'conspiracy' |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/umar-khalid-held-for-delhi-riots-conspiracy/articleshow/78096623.cms |work=The Times of India |date=14 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Singh Sengar |first1=Mukesh |last2=Shukla |first2=Saurabh |last3=Achom |first3=Debanish |title=Former JNU Student Umar Khalid Arrested In Delhi Riots Case |url=https://www.ndtv.com/delhi-news/former-jnu-student-umar-khalid-arrested-in-delhi-riots-case-2294860 |publisher=NDTV |date=14 September 2020}}</ref>
In charge sheets related to the riots, the police alleged that Khalid met councillor Tahir Hussain and activist Khalid Saifi at the Shaheen Bagh protest against the CAA and NRC on 8 January. The three men allegedly planned the Delhi riots. Khalid was interrogated twice for his alleged role. The police also linked Khalid's speeches to the riots. The Delhi Police's special cell is looking into a larger conspiracy case in addition to multiple cases filed in connection with the riots.<ref>{{cite news |title=Delhi Police get 10-day custody of Umar Khalid after his arrest under anti-terror law|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/umar-khalid-produced-in-court-delhi-police-seeks-10-day-custody/story-RR98Lx89UbSHNf2ezBmtEO.html |work=Hindustan Times |date=14 September 2020}}</ref>
Delhi Police filed a supplementary charge sheet against Umar Khalid in connection with the Delhi riots. They alleged a case of a multi-layered conspiracy and planning of a riot, and claimed that there was sufficient evidence to proceed against Khalid.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Chaturvedi |first1=Amit |title=Sufficient material to proceed against Umar Khalid': Delhi court after taking cognizance of riots conspiracy chargesheet |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/sufficient-material-to-proceed-against-umar-khalid-delhi-court-after-taking-cognizance-of-riots-conspiracy-chargesheet/story-P7SXIOHV8T1LC0MaAR84lN.html |website=Hindustan Times |date=24 November 2020 |access-date=25 November 2020}}</ref> In early January 2021, a Delhi court agreed with the chargesheet.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/ne-riots-court-says-khalid-tahir-conspired-together/articleshow/80123119.cms|title = Northeast Delhi riots: Court says Umar Khalid, Tahir Hussain conspired together |date=Jan 6, 2021 | website=The Times of India }}</ref> Khalid filed a bail plea in July 2021, after eight month long hearing his bail application was dismissed. In the bail order the court said that the allegations against Khalid are prima facie true and his role in the "context of conspiracy" related to Delhi riots was apparent.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sodhi |first=Tanishka |title=Mastermind of a 'conspiracy': Why Umar Khalid's bail plea was dismissed after 8 months of hearings |url=https://www.newslaundry.com/2022/03/25/mastermind-of-a-conspiracy-why-umar-khalids-bail-plea-was-dismissed-after-8-months-of-hearings |date=25 Mar 2022 |access-date=27 March 2022 |website=Newslaundry}}</ref> In March 2022, the court denied bail to Khalid. An Additional Sessions Judge Amitabh Rawat stated that Khalid's plea had "no merit and substance" for the bail to be granted.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-58301902 |title=Umar Khalid: Activist denied bail in Delhi riots case|date=24 March 2022|website=BBC}}</ref>
On 13 September 2022, as he completed two years in Tihar Jail under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act or UAPA, accused by the Delhi Police of involvement in 2020 Delhi riots, ''The Wire'' published Khalid's response to an open letter. By employing UAPA, he says, "we can be kept in jail for years, without those framing us needing to prove anything".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Umar Khalid on His Two Years in Jail: 'I Feel Pessimistic at Times. And Also Lonely' |url=https://thewire.in/rights/umar-khalid-on-his-two-years-in-jail-i-feel-pessimistic-at-times-and-also-lonely |first1=U |last1=Khalid |date=13 Sep 2022 |access-date=2022-09-13 |website=The Wire}}</ref>
On 18 October 2022, the Delhi High Court dismissed the bail plea of Khalid, as Delhi Police opposed it.<ref>{{Cite web |date=Oct 18, 2022 |title=North East Delhi riots case: Umar Khalid's bail plea rejected by Delhi HC |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/north-east-delhi-riots-case-umar-khalids-bail-plea-rejected-by-delhi-hc/articleshow/94939198.cms |access-date=2022-10-18 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref>
On 3 December 2022, a Delhi court acquitted him in stone pelting case during Delhi riots.<ref>{{cite news |title=Delhi Court Acquits Umar Khalid, Khalid Saifi in 2020 Riots Stone-Pelting Case |url=https://thewire.in/law/umar-khalid-saifi-acquitted-court-riots |access-date=2022-12-04 |work=The Wire |date=2022-12-03}}</ref>
=== Supreme Court bail hearings === Khalid's bail petition first made it to the Supreme Court of India in May 2023. On 18 May, Justices Bopanna and Hima Kohli of the SC had issued notice and posted the case after six weeks. On 12 July, Justices Bopanna and M. M. Sundresh listed the case for 24 July. The case came up for hearing on 24 July before Justices Bopanna and Bela M. Trivedi.
The bail hearing came up next in the Supreme Court on 9 August 2023 when Justice Mishra recused himself and the bail hearing was scheduled for 17 August.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/sc-judge-pk-mishra-recuses-himself-from-hearing-umar-khalids-bail-plea-in-uapa-case/article67175314.ece |url-access=subscription |title=Supreme Court judge recuses from hearing Umar Khalid's plea|work=The Hindu|date=9 August 2023|access-date=19 August 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230819220651/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/sc-judge-pk-mishra-recuses-himself-from-hearing-umar-khalids-bail-plea-in-uapa-case/article67175314.ece |archive-date= August 19, 2023 }}</ref>
It was listed again before the same judge on 17 August and then it was dropped from the Supreme Court case list.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/umar-khalid-bail-plea-dropped-from-sc-cause-list-after-being-listed-before-same-bench-which-had-recused-itself/article67206483.ece |url-access=subscription |title=Umar Khalid bail plea dropped from Supreme Court cause list|work=The Hindu|date=17 August 2023|access-date=19 August 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508012203/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/umar-khalid-bail-plea-dropped-from-sc-cause-list-after-being-listed-before-same-bench-which-had-recused-itself/article67206483.ece |archive-date= May 8, 2024 }}</ref>
On 14 February 2024, Khalid withdrew his bail plea in the Supreme Court, submitting through his lawyer Kapil Sibal that “he will try his luck” at a lower court, citing a “change in circumstances”.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Umar Khalid Withdraws Bail Plea in Supreme Court, Citing 'Change of Circumstances' |url=https://thewire.in/law/umar-khalid-withdraws-bail-plea-in-supreme-court-citing-change-of-circumstances |access-date=2024-05-25 |website=The Wire |date=14 Feb 2024 |first1=Sravasti |last1=Dasgupta |language=en}}</ref> Without elaborating on the “change in circumstance”, Khalid's father cited the long adjournments in the bail plea. At the time, he had completed 1248 days in incarceration.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Umar Khalid's Bail Application Tracker |url=https://www.scobserver.in/journal/umar-khalid-bail-application-tracker/ |date=14 Feb 2024 |access-date=2024-05-25 |website=Supreme Court Observer |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=A Timeline of Umar Khalid's Bail Hearings: Activist Is Now in His Fifth Year in Jail |url=https://thewire.in/law/a-timeline-of-umar-khalids-bail-hearings |access-date=2024-05-25 |website=The Wire |date=24 Jul 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
As of October 2024, Khalid had been jailed for four years without a trial, prompting the ''New York Times'' to describe him as "a symbol of the wide-ranging suppression of dissent under Prime Minister Narendra Modi."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Raj |first=Suhasini |date=2024-10-22 |title=Four Years in Jail Without Trial: The Price of Dissent in Modi's India |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/22/world/asia/india-muslim-dissent.html |work=The New York Times}}</ref> On 18 December 2024, Khalid was granted a 7-day interim bail for attending a family wedding.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-12-18 |title=Umar Khalid gets 7-day interim bail in Delhi riots case |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/116434932.cms |access-date=2025-02-04 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>
In January 2026, Eight US Lawmakers wrote to Indian ambassador, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, demanding Khalid be granted bail and ensuring a free trial as per international norms.<ref>{{cite web |title=Eight U.S. lawmakers pen letter in support of Umar Khalid; urge India to grant bail, fair trial 'as per international law' |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/eight-us-lawmakers-pen-letter-in-support-of-umar-khalid-urge-india-to-grant-bail-fair-trial-as-per-international-law/article70462705.ece |website=The Hindu |access-date=2 January 2026 |language=en-IN |date=2 January 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=After Mamdani, 8 US lawmakers pledge support for Umar Khalid; ask India to grant him fair trial |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/world/after-mamdani-8-us-lawmakers-pledge-support-for-umar-khalid-ask-india-to-grant-him-fair-trial/ |website=The Tribune |access-date=2 January 2026 |language=en}}</ref>
On 5 January 2026, the Supreme Court of India's two-judge bench rejected the bail plea of Khalid, while granting conditional bail to five other co-accused. The judges drew a distinction between the latter's alleged role and those ascribed to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam. They held that the allegations against the five co-accused were "limited" and "ancillary" in nature, whereas Khalid and Imam faced allegations of a “larger conspiracy” behind the riots in New Delhi. They cited the gravity of the allegations and the “central” role attributed to them by the prosecution.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bhaumik |first1=Aaratrika |title=Delhi riots case: Supreme Court denies bail to Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, grants relief to five co-accused |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/delhi-riots-case-supreme-court-denies-bail-to-umar-khalid-sharjeel-imam-grants-relief-to-five-co-accused/article70471723.ece |access-date=5 January 2026 |work=The Hindu |date=5 January 2026 |language=en-IN}}</ref> On the following Saturday, New York City's newly elected Mayor Zohran Mamdani wrote a letter to Khalid in solidarity, saying, “We are all thinking of you.”<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharma |first=Yashraj |title=Delhi riots case: Why won't India release Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam? |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/1/5/delhi-riots-case-why-wont-india-release-umar-khalid-and-sharjeel-imam |access-date=2026-04-24 |publisher=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref>
== Quotes == In an October 2016 address, Khalid stated both India and Pakistan have “betrayed the people of Kashmir.”<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=Narayanan |first=Vivek |date=2016-10-22 |title=Umar Khalid criticises JNU 'inaction' in Najeeb case |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/Umar-Khalid-criticises-JNU-%E2%80%98inaction%E2%80%99-in-Najeeb-case/article15723932.ece |access-date=2026-05-23 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
He also called out geopolitical double standards, stating <ref name=":4" /> <blockquote>If someone born in Pakistan stands with Kashmir but is silent on Balochistan it is hypocrisy. Similar is the situation if a Chinese stands with Kashmir but against Tibet. Similarly, it is hypocrisy if the Prime Minister speaks of Balochistan but carries on brutalities in Kashmir.</blockquote>
In his Amaravati speech, he called for non-violent protests saying,<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=What Repeated Bail Denial to Umar Khalid and Others Says About Modi's India |url=https://thediplomat.com/2025/09/what-repeated-bail-denial-to-umar-khalid-and-others-says-about-modis-india/ |access-date=2026-05-23 |website=thediplomat.com |language=en-US}}</ref><blockquote>We won’t respond to violence with violence... If they spread hate, we will respond to it with love. </blockquote>Criticizing the RSS and Hindu Mahasabha, he said,<ref name=":5" /><blockquote>When your ancestors were acting as ''dalals'' (agents) for the British, students and teachers of Jamia Millia Islamia were fighting the British government.</blockquote>
==References== {{Reflist|30em}}
==External links== * {{Twitter|UmarKhalidJNU}} * {{Facebook|UmarKhalidJNU}} * {{Instagram|umar_khalid87}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Khalid, Umar}} Category:Living people Category:Indian activists Category:Kirori Mal College alumni Category:Jawaharlal Nehru University alumni Category:1987 births Category:Centre for Political Studies (CPS), Jawaharlal Nehru University Category:People involved in the Citizenship Amendment Act protests Category:Delhi University alumni Category:Indian communists Category:Prisoners and detainees of India Category:Inmates of Tihar Jail Category:Indian Muslims