India - Urgent Action

Umar Khalid is a Muslim human rights defender and scholar who was active in the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act passed by the Indian government in December 2019, which blatantly discriminates against Muslims. Umar attended protests and gave speeches in opposition to the law, which was also vehemently opposed by many people across India, not just Muslims. In an atmosphere of intense fear, intimidation, harassment, and repression, he raised his voice against religious discrimination and human rights violations. 

As a result, he was arrested on 13 September 2020, accused of inciting communal violence through speeches. He was charged under multiple provisions of the Indian Penal Code, including “promoting enmity between different groups” and “rioting”, and the draconian anti-terror legislation the Unlawful (Activities) Prevention Act (UAPA). Umar has remained in prison for three years without trial. His bail applications have been repeatedly rejected by the courts.

Umar has previously faced many years of harassment by the Indian authorities for his activism. He was arrested in 2016 and shot by unknown men at in 2018. This IAR casefile is connected to the Protect the Protest Flagship Campaign.