Controversy Erupts as Congress Leader Digvijaya Singh Calls Jailed Umar Khalid "Innocent" Prompting BJP Outrage

Digvijaya Singh initially shared his comments via social media before confirming them in a subsequent interview

Bhopal:

Senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Digvijaya Singh has ignited controversy by referring to former JNU academic Umar Khalid as "innocent" and calling for his release from detention, where he has remained since 2020. The BJP has responded with sharp criticism, accusing Singh of showing sympathy toward individuals charged with serious offenses affecting national security.

Singh's remarks first appeared in his social media post and were later confirmed during an interview where he stated that Khalid has been denied justice despite being imprisoned for over five years.

"Umar Khalid is a history doctorate holder. He is highly educated and compassionate. The accusations against him should be properly investigated and addressed. He has spent five and a half years in custody without any charges being proven against him. The Supreme Court consistently maintains that bail is a right and imprisonment an exception. Yet, where has this right been granted to him? His hearings face continuous postponements. The most recent hearing was yesterday, but it was delayed again. Those currently in power influence such decisions, preventing him from receiving fair treatment."

Umar Khalid, formerly a research scholar at Jawaharlal Nehru University, was arrested on September 13, 2020, under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in connection with the northeast Delhi riots of February 2020. These violent incidents resulted in over 50 fatalities and hundreds of injuries. Delhi Police have claimed that the riots were part of a broader conspiracy to instigate unrest and destabilize the government.

The BJP responded forcefully to Singh's statement. Party legislator Rameshwar Sharma launched a personal critique of the Congress leader, suggesting he has previously sympathized with extremist elements.

"We're beginning to question whether Digvijaya Singh, though born in India, has adopted Pakistani and foreign behaviors. He has a pattern of addressing controversial figures respectfully - sometimes Osama 'ji', sometimes terrorists 'ji', sometimes Afzal Guru 'ji'. Essentially, Digvijaya Singh appears to support terrorism. I would advise him to relocate to Pakistan as soon as possible. I urge Congress members to recognize that as long as Digvijaya Singh remains among you, he will bring destruction to your party as well."

In its court submissions, the Delhi Police has maintained that the February 2020 riots were not spontaneous outbursts but rather "a deliberate and premeditated conspiracy to undermine the central government."