Umar Khalid Breaks Silence on Six Years in Tihar Jail

How Prison Life Is Affecting Umar Khalid

Umar Khalid talked to The Guardian through his family and friends because he is not allowed to communicate from prison. He said he often feels very lonely and thinks that people forget he is a being with feelings and fears.

Umar Khalid said that being in prison for long without a trial is really bad for his mental health and personal life. He feels completely exhausted. It is very hard for him.

What Umar Khalid Thinks About What People Think Of Him

Umar Khalid believes that many people now see him in a way because of what they hear about his case, not as a person. This makes it hard for him to stay okay and know who he is.

He also said that some other prisoners, who eat with him, call him a "terrorist" because of what people say about him. Umar Khalid feels very alone and misunderstood.

Umar Khalid wishes that people would remember he is a being, above all. Even people who support him sometimes do not think about how hard it's for him to be in prison for so long.

Why Umar Khalid Was Arrested

Umar Khalid was arrested in September 2020 because of the Delhi riots. The police think he was involved. Umar Khalid says he did not do anything wrong.

The Bharatiya Janata Party says that the police and courts are doing their job and Umar Khalid will get a trial.

Umar Khalid's Thoughts On Hate Speech

Umar Khalid also talked about how he thinks hate speech and false information are becoming problems. He thinks people are getting more and more divided.

He is also unhappy that some people who should speak out against putting activists in prison are staying quiet. Despite all the things that have happened to him Umar Khalid still believes in peaceful protests and not using violence. He says that hate should never be answered with hate.

Umar Khalid Asks For Bail Again

Umar Khalid has asked the court to let him out on bail. The court has asked the police to respond to his request.

His lawyers think that what the Supreme Court has said recently about keeping people in prison for long will help Umar Khalid get bail. What happens next could be very important for his case.

Umar Khalid's Story Is Still Important

Umar Khalid's public words in almost six years have brought attention back to his case and the bigger question of whether it is fair to keep people in prison for so long without a trial. As his case continues his story is part of a conversation, about justice and how prison affects people.