‘I Feel Isolated’: Umar Khalid From Jail After Nearly 6 Yrs Without Trial
Umar Khalid says the lack of public support from Opposition leaders, activists and civil society organisations has only strengthened the government's position towards him
Former student leader and jailed activist Umar Khalid has said that nearly six years of incarceration without the start of his trial have left him feeling “isolated” and deeply disappointed by what he sees as the silence of India’s Opposition parties and civil society.
In an interview with The Guardian, published on June 30, Khalid described the personal and political impact of his prolonged imprisonment, calling himself a political prisoner and expressing concern over what he believes is the shrinking space for dissent in India.
“Six years down the line, I must say that I am really disappointed and even feel isolated,” Khalid said. According to him, the lack of public support from Opposition leaders, activists and civil society organisations has only strengthened the government’s position.
He argued that the silence surrounding his case has had broader implications. “The silence of Opposition parties, civil society groups and prominent activists has emboldened the government,” he said.
Khalid was arrested in September 2020 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in connection with the alleged larger conspiracy behind the 2020 Delhi riots. He has consistently denied all allegations against him and remains in judicial custody. His bail applications have been rejected multiple times, while the trial has yet to begin.
The interview, one of Khalid’s most detailed public conversations since his arrest, focused primarily on his experience in prison and the emotional toll of years spent behind bars without trial, rather than the specifics of the criminal case against him.
Reflecting on prison life, Khalid said incarceration had fundamentally altered his understanding of life and dignity. “Humanity is a privilege,” he remarked, explaining that years in prison had made him realise how easily a person can be reduced to an image or symbol rather than being seen as an individual.
Concerns over dissent and the legal process
Khalid also voiced concern over what he described as changes in India’s political and social landscape during his imprisonment. He argued that hate speech and misinformation have become increasingly normalised and claimed the country was turning into a “post-truth society.”
He further alleged that dissenting voices were being systematically targeted and said that Muslims continue to face growing marginalisation in the country.
According to The Guardian, the interview did not examine the evidence or legal merits of the Delhi riots conspiracy case. Instead, it centred on Khalid’s reflections about prison, the consequences of prolonged detention, and his assessment of India’s political climate.
Khalid’s continued incarceration has drawn attention from several human rights organisations over the years. These groups have argued that his case reflects a broader pattern in which stringent anti-terror laws, particularly the UAPA, are being used against activists, academics and government critics.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), however, has consistently rejected allegations that such prosecutions are politically motivated. The party has maintained that India’s judiciary functions independently and that criminal proceedings are carried out strictly according to the law.
Khalid has remained in custody since September 2020 in connection with the Delhi riots conspiracy case, one of the most prominent prosecutions linked to the communal violence that erupted in north-east Delhi in February 2020. The riots claimed 53 lives, most of them Muslims, and left hundreds injured.
As Khalid approaches six years in prison without his trial commencing, his interview offers a rare glimpse into his personal experiences behind bars and his views on the legal and political circumstances surrounding his continued detention.
