Sharjeel Imam, a PhD scholar at Jawaharlal Nehru University and a prominent Muslim activist, has completed five years in detention as of January 28, 2025.
His arrest in January 2020 stemmed from his participation in protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC), which many viewed as discriminatory towards Muslims.
Imam was charged with sedition and booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for his speeches during the protests.
Known as a key figure in organizing the Shaheen Bagh sit-in, a historic 100-day protest against the CAA, Imam also faced FIRs in five states for advocating road blockades as a form of civil disobedience.
Despite securing bail in several cases, he remains detained under UAPA provisions in the Delhi violence conspiracy case, with his bail plea pending for nearly three years and over 70 hearings delayed by judicial recusals.
International human rights organizations have criticized his detention, describing it as a broader effort to suppress dissent under India’s stringent anti-terrorism laws.
Speaking from prison, Imam expressed dismay over being accused of terrorism for events that occurred after his arrest, reflecting on the toll his imprisonment has taken on his family.
Despite the challenges, he finds solace in reading, describing books as his source of mental strength.
Imam’s speeches, including one at Aligarh Muslim University on January 16, 2020, where he called for a blockade of a key corridor linking mainland India to the northeastern states, sparked controversy.
Critics accused him of attempting to incite division, while supporters argue his words have been misinterpreted and criminalized to stifle legitimate protest.