Umar Khalid Biography: Umar Khalid, born Syed Umar Khalid on August 11, 1987, in Jamia Nagar, Delhi is a 37 years old former student activist from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) who is currently in Tihar jail. He is awaiting his trial for an alleged role in the Delhi Riots of 2020.
Family
Umar Khalid comes from a diverse family background. His father Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas is from Maharashtra, while his mother Sabiha Khanam hails from Western Uttar Pradesh and is a homemaker.
Umar Khalid’s father serves as the National President of the Welfare Party of India. Previously, he was a member of the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), an organization he left in 1985. SIMI was later banned in 2001 due to its involvement in activities that were deemed a threat to national security.
Umar has two sisters, Kulsum Fatima and Sarah Fatima. His family has supported him throughout his legal challenges.
Education
Umar Khalid completed his early education at Delhi Public School (DPS), Noida, known for its emphasis on both academics and extracurricular activities. After finishing school, he enrolled at Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi, where he pursued a Bachelor’s degree in History.
Following his undergraduate studies, Umar joined Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) for higher education. JNU is known for its politically charged environment and active student participation in social issues. At JNU, Umar earned both his M.Phil. and Ph.D. degrees, focusing his research on the struggles of Adivasi (indigenous) communities in Jharkhand.
Religion
Umar Khalid is known for his Marxist beliefs and atheism. Although he was born into a Muslim family, he chose to identify as a non-believer.
Umar Khalid Biography: JNU Controversy
Umar Khalid came into the national spotlight during the 2016 “JNU sedition controversy.” As a member of the Democratic Students’ Union (DSU), he was accused of organizing an event at JNU to mark the anniversary of Afzal Guru’s hanging. Afzal Guru was a Kashmiri separatist convicted of involvement in the 2001 Indian Parliament attack. This event led to charges of sedition against Umar and several other students.
Umar Khalid has been vocal about issues related to social justice, minority rights, and secularism. His activism extended beyond the JNU campus, and he was involved in various protest movements.
UAPA Act- Arrest and Jail
In September 2020, Umar Khalid was arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for his alleged involvement in the Delhi riots that occurred in February 2020. The riots took place amidst protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). The riots resulted in 53 deaths, and Umar was accused of being a conspirator in the violence. He has consistently denied the charges, stating that there is no concrete evidence against him. He has been denied bail multiple times and remains in prison.
His imprisonment has drawn attention from human rights organizations and activists both in India and abroad.
Wife
Umar is not married yet but is in a relationship with Banojyotsna Lahiri, another activist. They met in 2008 during their student days, and their relationship developed over shared interests in activism. Despite Umar’s imprisonment, their relationship continues. Banojyotsna regularly visits him in Tihar Jail, where they communicate across a glass partition.
Conclusion
Umar Khalid’s case is part of a larger conversation about freedom of expression, and the use of anti-terrorism laws in India. His legal struggles highlight ongoing debates about student activism and protest movements.
Umar Khalid Biography will be updated here as new details emerge.
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