New Delhi [India]: The Supreme Court on Monday refused to grant bail to activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, who have been in custody since 2020 in connection with the northeast Delhi riots case, triggering a heated political exchange between the ruling BJP and opposition Congress.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Congress leader and Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge took a swipe at the government, coining a pointed remark on the narrative of a “Viksit Bharat.” Kharge assert that while individuals accuse of serious crimes like rape are routinely grant bail, those who raise their voices against the establishment face continued incarceration.
“Welcome to #ViksitBharat where you are jail for raising your voice and get bail for being a rapist,” Kharge wrote, going on to name several high-profile cases where bail was granted to rape-accuse individuals.
Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, The Supreme Court’s decision came after years of legal proceedings in the 2020 riots conspiracy case, where Khalid and Imam, both prominent student activists, were charge under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and sections of the Indian Penal Code relate to criminal conspiracy and rioting. Despite challenges and international attention, the bench held that the accusations against them stood on a “qualitatively different footing,” warranting continue custodial supervision.
Political Reactions Intensify
The BJP wasted no time in responding to the Congress critique. Party spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla defended the court’s verdict, stating that the refusal of bail was a validation of the allegations against Khalid and Imam — which include serious charges linked to violent unrest during the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act. “Satyameva Jayate (truth alone triumphs),” he wrote on X, adding that prima facie observations in the judgment supported the prosecution’s case.
Another BJP spokesperson, Pradeep Bhandari, termed the apex court’s move a “big slap” on the face of the Congress and its leadership, accusing the party of portraying Khalid and Imam as innocent victims in the court of public opinion. He urged the Congress to apologise for what he called its support for “tukde-tukde forces” seeking to divide the nation.
Background of the Case
Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, Khalid and Imam were arrest in early 2020 under stringent anti-terror laws after widespred communal violence erupt in parts of northeast Delhi during contentious protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act. The riots left dozens dead and hundreds injure, with authorities alleging a broader conspiracy behind the unrest.
While a number of co-accuse have since be grant bail, Khalid and Imam remain behind bars as the top court emphasis the gravity of the charges and the nature of evidence present by the prosecution. The bail denials have drawn criticism from overseas lawmakers and human rights organisations, who argue that prolonged detention without trial raises concerns over due process and civil liberties.
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Broader Election-Year Backdrop
Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, The fallout over the bail decision also comes amid rising political temperature ahead of key elections in the country, with opposition parties increasingly targeting the ruling party over issues of democratic freedom and judicial independence. Analysts say the exchange between the BJP and Congress reflects deeper fault lines in India’s political discourse, where narratives on law, order, and dissent are increasingly being contested in the public domain.
