Indian Muslim groups urge jailed activist be sent to parliament
Muslim organizations ask Congress party to nominate detained student leader, raising concerns over representation and prolonged imprisonment under anti-terror law
NEW DELHI, India (MNTV) — Muslim organizations in India’s western state of Rajasthan have urged the opposition Congress party to nominate jailed student activist Umar Khalid to the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of parliament, arguing that the move would signal commitment to minority representation and constitutional values.
In a letter addressed to the All India Congress Committee, several Muslim groups called for Khalid — a former student leader at Jawaharlal Nehru University — to be nominated to an upcoming Rajya Sabha seat from Rajasthan, where one parliamentary vacancy is expected in June.
The appeal, reported by local groups, comes as Khalid remains in prison under India’s anti-terror law in connection with the 2020 Delhi violence, a case that has drawn international scrutiny from civil rights advocates and legal observers.
Leaders from Rajasthan Muslim Alliance and other organizations said nominating Khalid would demonstrate the party’s commitment to inclusive politics and acknowledge the electoral support Muslim voters have historically provided to the Congress party in the state.
They argued that Muslim representation in national politics remains limited and that sending a jailed activist to parliament would send a strong message about civil liberties and democratic values.
Rajasthan is expected to elect three members to the Rajya Sabha in June, with current legislative arithmetic suggesting two seats likely for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and one for the Congress party. Muslim organizations said the Congress nomination offers an opportunity to consider Khalid’s name.
Umar Khalid, a former Jawaharlal Nehru University student leader, emerged as a prominent figure during protests against India’s Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC), which critics say disproportionately affect Muslims.
He was arrested in 2020 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, India’s anti-terror legislation, in connection with the Delhi violence that followed protests against the citizenship law. Khalid has denied the allegations, and rights advocates have described his continued detention without trial as part of a broader pattern of legal pressure against Muslim activists.
Khalid remains in Delhi’s Tihar jail, and India’s Supreme Court recently rejected his bail plea, prolonging his detention.
The appeal by Muslim organizations reflects wider debates in India about political representation, minority rights and the use of anti-terror legislation against activists, particularly following the protests against the citizenship law.
Observers say the Congress party’s decision on the nomination could signal how opposition parties position themselves on issues of civil liberties and minority representation ahead of upcoming political contests.
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