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==Political activism==
==Political activism==
Imam initially appeared as an active volunteer of [[Shaheen Bagh Protests|Anti CAA Protest at Shaheen Bagh]], Delhi. The police said that Imam made two "very inflammatory and instigatory speeches in his opposition to CAA and NRC" on 13 December 2019 and 16 January 2020.<ref name=ThePrint-26January2020>{{cite news |url=https://theprint.in/india/delhi-police-books-shaheen-bagh-protest-organiser-sharjeel-imam-for-inflammatory-speech/354679/ |title=Delhi Police books Shaheen Bagh protest organiser Sharjeel Imam for 'inflammatory speech' |date=26 January 2020 |work=[[ThePrint]] |access-date=17 August 2020}}</ref> The latter speech was 40 minutes long;<ref name="theprint-28january2020"/> in a three-minute long [[viral video]] of that speech, Imam could be heard calling for Assam to be "cut off" from the rest of the country by blocking the Siliguri corridor also known as "Chicken's Neck",<ref name=ThePrint-26January2020/><ref name="theprint-28january2020"/> which he explained was call for "chakka jam" — a legitimate form of protest in India.<ref name="tie-22july2020">{{Cite news|last=Saha|first=Abhishek|title=Student activist Sharjeel Imam tests positive for Covid-19 in Guwahati jail|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/student-activist-sharjeel-imam-tests-positive-for-covid-19-in-guwahati-jail/|date=22 July 2020|publisher=[[The Indian Express]]|access-date=22 July 2020}}</ref>{{efn| name = chakka jam| Chakka Jam is a term used in India and Nepal for the "deliberate creation of traffic jams as a form of political and social protest".<ref>{{citation |url=https://schott.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/11/24/chakka-jam/ |title=Schott's Vocab – Chakka Jam |date= 24 November 2008 |work=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=5 June 2020 |first1=Ben |last1=Schott}}</ref>}}<ref>{{Cite web|last=Menon|first=Aditya|date=2020-01-28|title=Sharjeel Imam Surrenders in Bihar: Is He A Terrorist or Scapegoat?|url=https://www.thequint.com/news/politics/jnu-student-sharjeel-imam-shaheen-bagh-speech-sedition-caa-protest|access-date=2020-11-09|website=TheQuint|language=en}}</ref>
Imam initially appeared as an active volunteer of [[Shaheen Bagh Protests|Anti CAA Protest at Shaheen Bagh]], Delhi. The police said that Imam made two "very inflammatory and instigatory speeches in his opposition to CAA and NRC" on 13 December 2019 and 16 January 2020.<ref name=ThePrint-26January2020>{{cite news |url=https://theprint.in/india/delhi-police-books-shaheen-bagh-protest-organiser-sharjeel-imam-for-inflammatory-speech/354679/ |title=Delhi Police books Shaheen Bagh protest organiser Sharjeel Imam for 'inflammatory speech' |date=26 January 2020 |work=[[ThePrint]] |access-date=17 August 2020}}</ref> In the delivered a speech he called for cutting off Assam and the rest of the Northeast from India by blocking the Siliguri Corridor, also known as the "Chicken's Neck".<ref name="thehindu">{{cite news |author=The Hindu |title=Assam police file case against former JNU student Sharjeel Imam |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/assam-police-file-case-against-sharjeel-imam/article30653946.ece |newspaper=The Hindu |date=25 January 2020 |access-date=13 September 2026}}</ref> According to reports, Imam stated:
 
{{Quotation
|style=background:#f8fbff; border-left:5px solid #3b82f6; padding:1em; font-style:normal;
|quote=
"Scatter so much debris on the tracks that it takes at least a month to clear it. ... It is our responsibility to cut off Assam. Cut all the supplies from here. We can stop it because the chicken neck belongs to Muslims."
|source=
''Sharjeel Imam's speech at Jamia Millia Islamia, January 2020''<ref name="scroll">{{cite news |author=Scroll Staff |title=Citizenship Act: Activist Sharjeel Imam's speech at Jamia was divisive, Delhi Police tell court |url=https://scroll.in/latest/1004437/citizenship-act-activist-sharjeel-imams-speech-at-jamia-was-divisive-delhi-police-tell-court |newspaper=Scroll.in |access-date=13 September 2026}}</ref><ref name="ht_sc">{{cite news |author=HT News Desk |title='Cut off Assam, chakka jam': Delhi Police shows Sharjeel Imam's clips before Supreme Court during bail hearing |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/cut-off-assam-chakka-jam-delhi-police-shows-sharjeel-imams-clips-before-supreme-court-during-bail-hearing-101763647552151.html |newspaper=Hindustan Times |date=20 November 2025 |access-date=13 September 2026}}</ref>}} He also allegedly said that with "5 lakh people, we can permanently cut off India and the North East. If not permanently, then at least a month or so."<ref name="scroll" /><ref name="ht_sc">{{cite news |author=HT News Desk |title='Cut off Assam, chakka jam': Delhi Police shows Sharjeel Imam's clips before Supreme Court during bail hearing |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/cut-off-assam-chakka-jam-delhi-police-shows-sharjeel-imams-clips-before-supreme-court-during-bail-hearing-101763647552151.html |newspaper=Hindustan Times |date=20 November 2025 |access-date=13 September 2026}}</ref>
 
Following his speech, the Assam police registered a case against him at the Guwahati Crime Branch police station under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, read with relevant Sections of the IPC.<ref name="thehindu" /><ref name="et_fir">{{cite news |author=ET Bureau |title=Assam govt files FIR against Shaheen Bagh activist |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/assam-govt-files-fir-against-shaheen-bagh-activist/articleshow/73626482.cms |newspaper=The Economic Times |date=25 January 2020 |access-date=13 September 2026}}</ref> The police in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, also registered an FIR against him for the speech at Aligarh Muslim University on January 16.<ref name="scroll" /><ref name="aninews_aligarh">{{cite news |author=ANI |title=Aligarh police lodge FIR, dispatch team to arrest Sharjeel Imam for anti-national speech at AMU |url=https://aninews.in/news/national/general-news/aligarh-police-lodge-fir-dispatch-team-to-arrest-sharjeel-imam-for-anti-national-speech-at-amu20200125215517/ |newspaper=ANI News |date=25 January 2020 |access-date=13 September 2026}}</ref> Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that Imam's words were "more dangerous than Kanhaiya Kumar's statement".<ref name="mm_shah">{{cite news |author=PTI |title=Amit Shah: Sharjeel Imam's words more dangerous than that of Kanhaiya Kumar |url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/news/india/amit-shah-sharjeel-imams-words-more-dangerous-than-that-of-kanhaiya-kumar/articleshow/73706776.cms |newspaper=Mumbai Mirror |date=28 January 2020 |access-date=13 September 2026}}</ref><ref name="rediff_shah">{{cite news |author=Rediff News |title='Sharjeel's words more dangerous than Kanhaiya's' |url=https://news.rediff.com/commentary/2020/jan/28/sharjeels-words-more-dangerous-than-kanhaiyas/20b04a8ac2c14ba7d10e97f086b47644 |newspaper=Rediff.com |date=28 January 2020 |access-date=13 September 2026}}</ref> In a bail hearing before the Supreme Court in November 2025, the Delhi Police played video compilations of Imam's speeches to oppose his bail plea.<ref name="it_sc">{{cite news |author=India Today Video Desk |title=Delhi Riots Case: Police Play Sharjeel Imam's 'Cut Off Assam' Speech Tapes In Supreme Court |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/video/delhi-riots-case-police-play-sharjeel-imams-cut-off-assam-speech-tapes-in-supreme-court-ytvd-2823173-2025-11-20 |newspaper=India Today |date=20 November 2025 |access-date=13 September 2026}}</ref>
 
In July 2016, following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir, Khalid wrote a Facebook post praising Wani.<ref name="bbc"/> In the post, he compared Wani to Che Guevara and wrote:<ref name="dna"/>
 
{{Quotation
|style=background:#f8fbff; border-left:5px solid #3b82f6; padding:1em; font-style:normal;
|quote=
"I don't care if I fall as long as someone else picks up my gun and keeps on shooting." These were the words of Che Guevara, but could have just been #BurhanWani's too. Burhan wasn't scared of death, he was scared of a life lived in subjugation. He detested it. He lived a free man, died a free man. Doomed is the occupation! Indian state, how will you defeat a people who have defeated their own fears?<br /><br />
Rest in Power, Burhaan!<br />In complete solidarity with the people of Kashmir!<br /><nowiki>#</nowiki>FreeKashmir
|source=
''Umar Khalid's Facebook post, July 2016''<ref name="dna">{{cite news |author=DNA Web Team |title='He lived a free man, died a free man': JNU student Umar Khalid on slain terrorist Burhan Wani |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-he-lived-a-free-man-died-a-free-man-jnu-student-umar-khalid-on-slain-terrorist-burhan-wani-2233101 |newspaper=DNA India |date=10 July 2016 |access-date=13 September 2026}}</ref><ref name="bbc">{{cite news |author=BBC Hindi |title='उमर ख़ालिद, वो सब वापस करो जो भारत ने दिया' |url=https://www.bbc.com/hindi/india/2016/07/160710_umar_khalid_facebook_post_on_burhan_wani_pkp |newspaper=BBC News हिंदी |date=10 July 2016 |access-date=13 September 2026}}</ref>}}
 
Khalid deleted the post after facing widespread criticism and trolling.<ref name="telegraph">{{cite news |author=Special Correspondent |title=Trolls target Burhan post from JNU |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/trolls-target-burhan-post-from-jnu/cid/1516742 |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=11 July 2016 |access-date=13 September 2026}}</ref><ref name="millennium">{{cite news |author=Kundan Jha |title=Umar Khalid stirs up hornet's nest, calls Burhan Wani a revolutionary |url=https://www.millenniumpost.in/umar-khalid-stirs-up-hornets-nest-calls-burhan-wani-a-revolutionary-153721 |newspaper=Millennium Post |date=11 July 2016 |access-date=13 September 2026}}</ref> He later wrote another post sarcastically addressing the trolls, stating: "Troller army, I accept defeat. Of course, how on earth can I handle hundreds of you trolling me in such a coordinated way. Yes, I was wrong, I should have joined you in rejoicing his death."<ref name="bbc" /><ref name="telegraph" />


Citing the [[Brandenburg v. Ohio|Brandenburg versus Ohio]] ruling, former Supreme Court Justice [[Markandey Katju]] came out in defense of Sharjeel arguing for quashing of FIRs against him saying that “he has not committed a crime”, even though he does not approve of his speech.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2020-01-27|title=Disapprove of Sharjeel Imam's Speech, But He Hasn't Committed a Crime, Says Markandey Katju|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/sharjeel-imam-has-not-committed-crime-firs-against-him-must-be-quashed-says-markandey-katju-2475251.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120200152/https://www.news18.com/news/india/sharjeel-imam-has-not-committed-crime-firs-against-him-must-be-quashed-says-markandey-katju-2475251.html|archive-date=2020-11-20|access-date=2021-02-11|website=News18|language=en}}</ref> Sharjeel's arrest was widely condemned by politicians, teachers, students, activists and other organizations.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Fatima|first=Nikhat|date=2020-06-02|title=Opposition parties condemn arrest of activists, scholars, call for 'united political movement'|url=http://twocircles.net/2020jun02/437283.html|access-date=2020-11-09|website=TwoCircles.net|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Fatima|first=Nikhat|date=2020-05-05|title=South Asian organisations in US accuse BJP of vendetta politics to persecute Muslims|url=http://twocircles.net/2020may05/436486.html|access-date=2020-11-09|website=TwoCircles.net|language=en-US}}</ref> The [[Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union]] said that his arrest is a matter of "Islamophobia, selective amnesia & bias" of the state apparatus.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|last2=|first2=|last3=|first3=|date=January 28, 2020|title=Sharjeel Imam arrest: Arrest shows Islamophobia and selective amnesia of state, says JNUSU|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/sharjeel-imam-arrest-live-updates-1640960-2020-01-28|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-11-09|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref> JNU Teachers' Association alleged that the sedition charge was invoked due to "other reasons" and that it reflects "politicisation" of the conduct of law enforcement agencies.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|last2=|first2=|last3=|first3=|date=29 January 2020|title=Sharjeel Imam's arrest in sedition case due to other reasons: JNUTA|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/sharjeel-imam-arrest-in-sedition-case-due-to-other-reasons-jnuta-1641074-2020-01-29|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-11-09|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref> 148 students and alumni of various IITs ([[Indian Institutes of Technology]]) and over hundred students from Jamia Millia Islamia, AMU and other state universities signed a letter in his support and alleged that a few minutes of his speech were cherry-picked to misrepresent what he said to make it appear hateful and objectionable.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sharma|first=Kritika|date=2020-01-28|title=Sharjeel Imam comments ‘cherry-picked’ — IIT students, alumni say he is being victimised|url=https://theprint.in/india/sharjeel-imam-comments-cherry-picked-iit-students-alumni-say-he-is-being-victimised/355504/|access-date=2020-11-09|website=ThePrint|language=en-US}}</ref> A group of students hailing from Bihar and studying in prominent institutions including Jawaharlal Nehru University and IIT Delhi wrote an open letter to RJD leader [[Tejashwi Yadav]] urging him to demand the release of Imam, highlighting Imam's contribution as an academician, student, historian and journalist.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Fatima|first=Nikhat|date=2020-10-03|title=Bihar students write open letter to RJD, urge to break silence on incarceration of Sharjeel Imam, Meeran Haider|url=http://twocircles.net/2020oct03/439216.html|access-date=2020-11-09|website=TwoCircles.net|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Staff|first=Maktoob|date=2020-10-01|title=Bihar students write open letter to RJD to break its silence on arrested students Sharjeel and Meeran|url=https://maktoobmedia.com/2020/10/01/bihar-students-write-open-letter-to-rjd-to-break-its-silence-on-arrested-students-sharjeel-and-meeran/|access-date=2020-11-09|website=Maktoob|language=en-US}}</ref>
Citing the [[Brandenburg v. Ohio|Brandenburg versus Ohio]] ruling, former Supreme Court Justice [[Markandey Katju]] came out in defense of Sharjeel arguing for quashing of FIRs against him saying that “he has not committed a crime”, even though he does not approve of his speech.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2020-01-27|title=Disapprove of Sharjeel Imam's Speech, But He Hasn't Committed a Crime, Says Markandey Katju|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/sharjeel-imam-has-not-committed-crime-firs-against-him-must-be-quashed-says-markandey-katju-2475251.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120200152/https://www.news18.com/news/india/sharjeel-imam-has-not-committed-crime-firs-against-him-must-be-quashed-says-markandey-katju-2475251.html|archive-date=2020-11-20|access-date=2021-02-11|website=News18|language=en}}</ref> Sharjeel's arrest was widely condemned by politicians, teachers, students, activists and other organizations.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Fatima|first=Nikhat|date=2020-06-02|title=Opposition parties condemn arrest of activists, scholars, call for 'united political movement'|url=http://twocircles.net/2020jun02/437283.html|access-date=2020-11-09|website=TwoCircles.net|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Fatima|first=Nikhat|date=2020-05-05|title=South Asian organisations in US accuse BJP of vendetta politics to persecute Muslims|url=http://twocircles.net/2020may05/436486.html|access-date=2020-11-09|website=TwoCircles.net|language=en-US}}</ref> The [[Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union]] said that his arrest is a matter of "Islamophobia, selective amnesia & bias" of the state apparatus.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|last2=|first2=|last3=|first3=|date=January 28, 2020|title=Sharjeel Imam arrest: Arrest shows Islamophobia and selective amnesia of state, says JNUSU|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/sharjeel-imam-arrest-live-updates-1640960-2020-01-28|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-11-09|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref> JNU Teachers' Association alleged that the sedition charge was invoked due to "other reasons" and that it reflects "politicisation" of the conduct of law enforcement agencies.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|last2=|first2=|last3=|first3=|date=29 January 2020|title=Sharjeel Imam's arrest in sedition case due to other reasons: JNUTA|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/sharjeel-imam-arrest-in-sedition-case-due-to-other-reasons-jnuta-1641074-2020-01-29|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-11-09|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref> 148 students and alumni of various IITs ([[Indian Institutes of Technology]]) and over hundred students from Jamia Millia Islamia, AMU and other state universities signed a letter in his support and alleged that a few minutes of his speech were cherry-picked to misrepresent what he said to make it appear hateful and objectionable.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sharma|first=Kritika|date=2020-01-28|title=Sharjeel Imam comments ‘cherry-picked’ — IIT students, alumni say he is being victimised|url=https://theprint.in/india/sharjeel-imam-comments-cherry-picked-iit-students-alumni-say-he-is-being-victimised/355504/|access-date=2020-11-09|website=ThePrint|language=en-US}}</ref> A group of students hailing from Bihar and studying in prominent institutions including Jawaharlal Nehru University and IIT Delhi wrote an open letter to RJD leader [[Tejashwi Yadav]] urging him to demand the release of Imam, highlighting Imam's contribution as an academician, student, historian and journalist.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Fatima|first=Nikhat|date=2020-10-03|title=Bihar students write open letter to RJD, urge to break silence on incarceration of Sharjeel Imam, Meeran Haider|url=http://twocircles.net/2020oct03/439216.html|access-date=2020-11-09|website=TwoCircles.net|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Staff|first=Maktoob|date=2020-10-01|title=Bihar students write open letter to RJD to break its silence on arrested students Sharjeel and Meeran|url=https://maktoobmedia.com/2020/10/01/bihar-students-write-open-letter-to-rjd-to-break-its-silence-on-arrested-students-sharjeel-and-meeran/|access-date=2020-11-09|website=Maktoob|language=en-US}}</ref>

Revision as of 13:07, 14 September 2026

Sharjeel Imam
Born1988 (age 37–38)[1]
Kako, Jehanabad, Bihar
NationalityIndian
EducationB.Tech and M.Tech Computer Science and Engineering,
MA, M.Phil, PhD Modern History
Alma materIIT Bombay
JNU
Parents
  • Akbar Imam (father)
  • Afshan Rahim[2] (mother)
FamilyMuzzammil Imam (brother)[1]

Sharjeel Imam (born 1988) is an Indian activist from Kako village of Jehanabad, Bihar known for his participation in the Citizenship Amendment Act Protests.[3][4] He had completed his B.Tech and M.Tech from IIT-Bombay and joined Jawaharlal Nehru University in 2013 for completing his masters degree in Modern History and in 2015 he started Ph.D from the same university.[1] He was charged with sedition case by five states of India[5] and surrendered to Delhi Police on 28 January 2020,[6] who alleged that his speech promoted enmity among people that led to riots in Jamia Millia Islamia University.[7]

Early life and education

Sharjeel Imam was born in 1988 at Kako village of Jehanabad district, Bihar. His father Akbar Imam was a politician, mother Afshan Rahim is homemaker and brother Muzzammil Imam is a social activist.[1] Akbar Imam was a Janata Dal (United)’s candidate in Jehanabad constituency in the 2005 assembly election. In 2014, Akbar died of cancer, after an illness lasting many years. [2]

Sharjeel Imam started school in 1994; he was considered as bibliophile by his teachers. His high school was a missionary school in Patna. After completing high school in 2006, he studied computer engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay. After graduation, he spent two years in Bengaluru where he joined a software company. In 2013, he joined Jawaharlal Nehru University to complete his Masters degree in Modern History and started PhD in 2015 from the same university.[2][1]

Career

Imam worked at the IT University of Copenhagen as a programmer for two months in 2019 and later worked as a teaching assistant at IIT Bombay. Thereafter, he worked as an engineer at Juniper Networks before returning to academics.[8][9] Imam wrote articles for TRT World,[10] Firstpost,[11] The Quint,[12] and The Wire.[13]

Political activism

Imam initially appeared as an active volunteer of Anti CAA Protest at Shaheen Bagh, Delhi. The police said that Imam made two "very inflammatory and instigatory speeches in his opposition to CAA and NRC" on 13 December 2019 and 16 January 2020.[14] In the delivered a speech he called for cutting off Assam and the rest of the Northeast from India by blocking the Siliguri Corridor, also known as the "Chicken's Neck".[15] According to reports, Imam stated:

"Scatter so much debris on the tracks that it takes at least a month to clear it. ... It is our responsibility to cut off Assam. Cut all the supplies from here. We can stop it because the chicken neck belongs to Muslims."

— Sharjeel Imam's speech at Jamia Millia Islamia, January 2020[16][17]

He also allegedly said that with "5 lakh people, we can permanently cut off India and the North East. If not permanently, then at least a month or so."[16][17]

Following his speech, the Assam police registered a case against him at the Guwahati Crime Branch police station under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, read with relevant Sections of the IPC.[15][18] The police in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, also registered an FIR against him for the speech at Aligarh Muslim University on January 16.[16][19] Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that Imam's words were "more dangerous than Kanhaiya Kumar's statement".[20][21] In a bail hearing before the Supreme Court in November 2025, the Delhi Police played video compilations of Imam's speeches to oppose his bail plea.[22]

In July 2016, following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir, Khalid wrote a Facebook post praising Wani.[23] In the post, he compared Wani to Che Guevara and wrote:[24]

"I don't care if I fall as long as someone else picks up my gun and keeps on shooting." These were the words of Che Guevara, but could have just been #BurhanWani's too. Burhan wasn't scared of death, he was scared of a life lived in subjugation. He detested it. He lived a free man, died a free man. Doomed is the occupation! Indian state, how will you defeat a people who have defeated their own fears?

Rest in Power, Burhaan!
In complete solidarity with the people of Kashmir!
#FreeKashmir

— Umar Khalid's Facebook post, July 2016[24][23]

Khalid deleted the post after facing widespread criticism and trolling.[25][26] He later wrote another post sarcastically addressing the trolls, stating: "Troller army, I accept defeat. Of course, how on earth can I handle hundreds of you trolling me in such a coordinated way. Yes, I was wrong, I should have joined you in rejoicing his death."[23][25]

Citing the Brandenburg versus Ohio ruling, former Supreme Court Justice Markandey Katju came out in defense of Sharjeel arguing for quashing of FIRs against him saying that “he has not committed a crime”, even though he does not approve of his speech.[27] Sharjeel's arrest was widely condemned by politicians, teachers, students, activists and other organizations.[28][29] The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union said that his arrest is a matter of "Islamophobia, selective amnesia & bias" of the state apparatus.[30] JNU Teachers' Association alleged that the sedition charge was invoked due to "other reasons" and that it reflects "politicisation" of the conduct of law enforcement agencies.[31] 148 students and alumni of various IITs (Indian Institutes of Technology) and over hundred students from Jamia Millia Islamia, AMU and other state universities signed a letter in his support and alleged that a few minutes of his speech were cherry-picked to misrepresent what he said to make it appear hateful and objectionable.[32] A group of students hailing from Bihar and studying in prominent institutions including Jawaharlal Nehru University and IIT Delhi wrote an open letter to RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav urging him to demand the release of Imam, highlighting Imam's contribution as an academician, student, historian and journalist.[33][34]

Over 50 activists were booked under sedition charges by Mumbai Police for raising slogans in support of Sharjeel Imam at a Pride Solidarity gathering in February 2020.[35] In January 2021, several Student Organizations in Delhi University demanded immediate release of Sharjeel one year after his imprisonment.[36]

Cases filed by different states

Five Indian states have filed various cases against Imam includes Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Delhi.[37][2]

  • On 25 January 2020, Assam Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Imam for his speech under section 13 (1)/18 of UA(P)ACT read with section 153A, 153B and 124A of Indian Penal Code (IPC).[37]
  • On the same day, Aligarh Police in Uttar Pradesh also registered case against Imam for sedition and creating enmity between two groups.[37]
  • Manipur police also filed an FIR against Imam for waging war against the Indian government, sedition, indulging in vilification, attacks on a particular group or conspiracy to commit offences. The police filed the FIR for his remarks of "cut off" northeast from rest of the country under FIR number 16(1)2020 IPC under sections 121/121-A/124-A/120-B/153 IPC.[37]
  • On 26 January 2020, Arunachal Pradesh's Itanagar police filed a FIR against Imam under section 124(A), 153(A) and 153(B) of the Indian Penal Code for sedition, promoting enmity between groups.[37]
  • The Delhi police filed an FIR under Indian Penal Code's section 153 in addition to the charges of sedition and promoting religious enmity.[37]

Prison

On 28 January 2020, Sharjeel Imam surrendered to Delhi police for allegedly delivering inflammatory speeches against Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC).[3][38] He was also booked under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.[39] After his arrest he was taken to Assam and is held in Guwahati Central Jail.[40] Whilst in prison he was infected with COVID-19, and tested positive for it on 21 July 2020.[40] The prison he is in holds slightly more than 1,000 inmates; least 435 inmates had tested positive for this disease by 22 July 2020.[40]

On 29 July 2020, Delhi Court had issued a summon against Imam in the case related to his alleged inflammatory speech. Additional Sessions Judge Dharmender Rana after viewing the charge-sheet filed under UAPA against Imam and asked him to appear in court on 1 September 2020. The court took this decision due to coronavirus pandemic and said that if the physical appearance of the Imam is not possible then he can be presented via video-conferencing.[41]

Notes

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Swaroop, Vijay (29 January 2020). "Sharjeel Imam, a 'quiet, bright' student now in the limelight". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Khan, Fatima (28 January 2020). "Sharjeel Imam, the IIT graduate in JNU who called out Left's 'Islamophobia'". ThePrint. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Who is Sharjeel Imam and why is he charged with sedition?". The Hindu. 30 January 2020. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
  4. ↑ "Sharjeel Imam". Front Line Defenders. 2020-07-02. Archived from the original on 2020-08-04. Retrieved 2021-03-04.
  5. ↑ "Five States Have Now Filed Sedition Charges Against JNU Student Sharjeel Imam". The Wire. 27 January 2020. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  6. ↑ "Fact Check: Sharjeel Imam Surrendered Himself To Police, Not Arrested". The Logical Indian. 3 February 2020. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  7. ↑ "Sharjeel Imam chargesheeted in seditious speech case". The Economic Times. 18 April 2020. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
  8. ↑ "The commitment to fight Islamophobia and promote equal citizenship: A portrait of Sharjeel Imam". The Polis Project. 2020-09-21. Archived from the original on 2021-02-08. Retrieved 2021-02-28.
  9. ↑ "Scholar, IT pro, scribe, fanatic? Sharjeel Imam unravelled". Outlook India. 2020-01-30. Retrieved 2021-02-28.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. ↑ "Sharjeel Imam, Author at TRT World". TRT World. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  11. ↑ "Sharjeel Imam, Author at Firstpost". Firstpost. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  12. ↑ "Sharjeel Imam, Author at The Quint". The Quint. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  13. ↑ "Sharjeel Imam, Author at The Wire". The Wire. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  14. ↑ "Delhi Police books Shaheen Bagh protest organiser Sharjeel Imam for 'inflammatory speech'". ThePrint. 26 January 2020. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 The Hindu (25 January 2020). "Assam police file case against former JNU student Sharjeel Imam". The Hindu. Retrieved 13 September 2026.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Scroll Staff. "Citizenship Act: Activist Sharjeel Imam's speech at Jamia was divisive, Delhi Police tell court". Scroll.in. Retrieved 13 September 2026.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 HT News Desk (20 November 2025). "'Cut off Assam, chakka jam': Delhi Police shows Sharjeel Imam's clips before Supreme Court during bail hearing". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 13 September 2026.
  18. ↑ ET Bureau (25 January 2020). "Assam govt files FIR against Shaheen Bagh activist". The Economic Times. Retrieved 13 September 2026.
  19. ↑ ANI (25 January 2020). "Aligarh police lodge FIR, dispatch team to arrest Sharjeel Imam for anti-national speech at AMU". ANI News. Retrieved 13 September 2026.
  20. ↑ PTI (28 January 2020). "Amit Shah: Sharjeel Imam's words more dangerous than that of Kanhaiya Kumar". Mumbai Mirror. Retrieved 13 September 2026.
  21. ↑ Rediff News (28 January 2020). "'Sharjeel's words more dangerous than Kanhaiya's'". Rediff.com. Retrieved 13 September 2026.
  22. ↑ India Today Video Desk (20 November 2025). "Delhi Riots Case: Police Play Sharjeel Imam's 'Cut Off Assam' Speech Tapes In Supreme Court". India Today. Retrieved 13 September 2026.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 BBC Hindi (10 July 2016). "'उमर ख़ालिद, वो सब वापस करो जो भारत ने दिया'". BBC News हिंदी. Retrieved 13 September 2026.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 DNA Web Team (10 July 2016). "'He lived a free man, died a free man': JNU student Umar Khalid on slain terrorist Burhan Wani". DNA India. Retrieved 13 September 2026.
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 Special Correspondent (11 July 2016). "Trolls target Burhan post from JNU". The Telegraph. Retrieved 13 September 2026. {{cite news}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  26. ↑ Kundan Jha (11 July 2016). "Umar Khalid stirs up hornet's nest, calls Burhan Wani a revolutionary". Millennium Post. Retrieved 13 September 2026.
  27. ↑ "Disapprove of Sharjeel Imam's Speech, But He Hasn't Committed a Crime, Says Markandey Katju". News18. 2020-01-27. Archived from the original on 2020-11-20. Retrieved 2021-02-11.
  28. ↑ Fatima, Nikhat (2020-06-02). "Opposition parties condemn arrest of activists, scholars, call for 'united political movement'". TwoCircles.net. Retrieved 2020-11-09.
  29. ↑ Fatima, Nikhat (2020-05-05). "South Asian organisations in US accuse BJP of vendetta politics to persecute Muslims". TwoCircles.net. Retrieved 2020-11-09.
  30. ↑ "Sharjeel Imam arrest: Arrest shows Islamophobia and selective amnesia of state, says JNUSU". India Today. January 28, 2020. Retrieved 2020-11-09.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  31. ↑ "Sharjeel Imam's arrest in sedition case due to other reasons: JNUTA". India Today. 29 January 2020. Retrieved 2020-11-09.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  32. ↑ Sharma, Kritika (2020-01-28). "Sharjeel Imam comments 'cherry-picked' — IIT students, alumni say he is being victimised". ThePrint. Retrieved 2020-11-09.
  33. ↑ Fatima, Nikhat (2020-10-03). "Bihar students write open letter to RJD, urge to break silence on incarceration of Sharjeel Imam, Meeran Haider". TwoCircles.net. Retrieved 2020-11-09.
  34. ↑ Staff, Maktoob (2020-10-01). "Bihar students write open letter to RJD to break its silence on arrested students Sharjeel and Meeran". Maktoob. Retrieved 2020-11-09.
  35. ↑ "Booked for Pro-Sharjeel Slogan, Court Now Rejects Bail to Kris". TheQuint. 2020-02-03. Retrieved 2020-11-09.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  36. ↑ "One year in jail; Student orgs in Delhi University demand Sharjeel Imam's release". Maktoob. 2021-01-30. Archived from the original on 2021-01-31. Retrieved 2021-01-31.
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 37.2 37.3 37.4 37.5 "From IIT-B to JNU to Shaheen Bagh: Who is Sharjeel Imam?". Hindustan Times. 28 January 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  38. ↑ "Sharjeel Imam Surrenders, but Media Continues to Harp on his 'Arrest'". NewsClick. 28 January 2020.
  39. ↑ "No immediate Supreme Court relief for anti-CAA activist Sharjeel Imam". The Hindu. 26 May 2020. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 40.2 Saha, Abhishek (22 July 2020). "Student activist Sharjeel Imam tests positive for Covid-19 in Guwahati jail". Indian Express. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  41. ↑ "Delhi court takes cognisance of chargesheet filed under UAPA against Sharjeel Imam". Business World. 29 July 2020. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
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