Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra shared a poem titled “You Will Rise, Umar Khalid” after the Supreme Court denied bail to activist Umar Khalid in the alleged larger conspiracy behind the 2020 north-east Delhi riots case.
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NEW DELHI: Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra shared a poem for activist Umar Khalid after the Supreme Court denied bail to him in the alleged larger conspiracy case related to the 2020 north-east Delhi riots.
Taking to social media platform X, Moitra posted the poem titled “You Will Rise, Umar Khalid,” expressing solidarity with the activist who has been in custody under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
The poem read:
“You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt,
But still, like dust, I’ll rise…
You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I’ll rise.”
The post quickly sparked political reactions across party lines, with BJP leaders sharply criticising the TMC MP’s stance.
Following the Supreme Court’s decision, a group of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) students allegedly raised slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on campus. The incident drew sharp condemnation from BJP leaders.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis criticised the alleged slogans, making controversial remarks linking JNU students to Sharjeel Imam.
“The offspring of Sharjeel Imam were born at JNU. We will crush such wicked intentions which speak the language of breaking the country,”
Fadnavis told reporters.
BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala accused Congress and Left parties of supporting what he termed an “anti-India urban naxal gang.”
“They always prioritise people like Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam over national security,”
Poonawala said.
Delhi Home Minister Ashish Sood also condemned the alleged protests, calling them “unfortunate and condemnable.”
“Sharjeel Imam talked about cutting off the Chicken’s Neck corridor, and Umar Khalid raised slogans like ‘Bharat tere tukde honge’. I consider this treason,”
Sood said.
Supreme Court Verdict
On Monday, the Supreme Court denied bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, citing the seriousness of the allegations in the larger conspiracy behind the 2020 Delhi riots. The apex court clarified that delays in trial proceedings cannot automatically justify bail, emphasizing that statutory safeguards under the law remain paramount. The bench highlighted the importance of protecting constitutional values, including the sovereignty, integrity, and security of the nation, as well as maintaining public order.
However, the apex court granted bail to several other accused, including Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa Ur Rehman, Mohd Saleem Khan, and Shadab Ahmad. It cited Khalid and Imam’s positions in the alleged conspiracy as reasons for their continued detention. According to the prosecution’s narrative, they held a higher rank in the alleged hierarchy of the conspiracy.
The riots in north-east Delhi in February 2020 left over 50 people dead and hundreds injured, leading to multiple investigations by the Delhi Police.
Sharjeel Imam was arrested on January 28, 2020, following speeches he delivered during anti-CAA protests. Umar Khalid was later arrested on September 13, 2020. Both were charged under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), which has strict provisions regarding bail and pre-trial detention.
The Supreme Court noted that Khalid can reapply for bail after one year if there is no significant progress in the trial, leaving their families and supporters hoping for a future legal reprieve.
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