Comments attributed to jailed activist criticise verdict, call protests criminalised
January 7, 2026: Remarks attributed to jailed activist Sharjeel Imam following the Supreme Court’s refusal to grant him bail in a case linked to the 2020 Delhi riots are being widely shared on social media. The comments, according to online posts, were conveyed privately to friends rather than released as a formal statement. They surfaced after the court denied Imam bail while granting relief to several other accused in related cases.
As per the circulated posts, Imam expressed relief that some co-accused had secured bail but criticised what he described as prolonged and harsh treatment of those involved. He reportedly alleged that he and fellow activist Umar Khalid were being punished for organising and leading protests ahead of the violence, claiming the judgment effectively criminalised organised protest by equating disruption with terrorism. He further said this blurred the line between democratic dissent and violent activity.
The posts also quote Imam as saying his primary concern remains the physical and mental well-being of his elderly mother, though he claimed to remain hopeful about the legal process. He reportedly added that he would continue his intellectual and academic pursuits as much as possible while facing trial. The remarks conclude with a couplet by poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz, which has been widely reproduced online. Imam continues to face multiple cases related to the 2020 riots, all of which remain under judicial consideration.