A political storm has erupted after senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha member Digvijaya Singh described jailed former JNU scholar Umar Khalid as “innocent” and a victim of “grave injustice”. Singh’s remarks have triggered a sharp response from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), reigniting the political debate surrounding the 2020 Delhi riots case.
In his post, the former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister asserted that Umar Khalid, a PhD scholar from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), was not an anti-national and had been “falsely implicated” under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Singh called for Khalid’s immediate release, claiming he was being targeted as part of a conspiracy orchestrated by the BJP and the RSS to malign Muslims.
Singh wrote, “Umar Khalid is innocent and facing a grave injustice. He is a scholar, not a traitor by any means. The BJP and RSS have conspired to falsely implicate Muslims in fabricated cases. Jai Siya Ram.”
He shared these comments while reposting an article about Khalid, who has been in custody since September 2020 on charges related to the alleged conspiracy behind the Delhi riots of February 2020.
The BJP reacted strongly to Singh’s comments. Party spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari launched a fierce attack on the Congress accusing it of supporting “anti-national elements.” Bhandari wrote, “Congress party is now the ‘Tukde Tukde Congress’. It defends the key conspirator of the Delhi riots and calls him innocent! Congress and RJD have repeatedly sided with those who work against the nation’s unity.”
He further alleged that the Congress under Rahul Gandhi had become “a political front for all those who wish to weaken India’s integrity,” citing past instances where party leaders had shown sympathy towards controversial figures.
BJP MLA from Bhopal, Rameshwar Sharma, also condemned Singh’s remarks, accusing him of having a “soft corner for terrorists.” Sharma recalled that Singh had previously referred to Osama bin Laden and Afzal Guru with the honorific “ji,” questioning his commitment to India’s national interests. “Digvijaya Singh always expresses sympathy towards those who stand against the country. If he has no faith in the Indian judiciary, he should move to Pakistan,” Sharma declared.
Umar Khalid, along with activists Sharjeel Imam, Khalid Saifi, and former Aam Aadmi Party councillor Tahir Hussain, is among twenty people accused in the larger conspiracy case linked to the 2020 Delhi riots. He was arrested on 13 September 2020 and has been in custody for over five years without being granted regular bail. His bail plea was recently heard by the Supreme Court.
