Missing our loved ones in jail, but will fight for justice, vow familes of political prisoners

In a Zoom press conference organised by the Students Islamic Organisation of India (SIO), former JNU student Umar Khalid’s father, Sayed Qasim Rasool Ilya, said he misses his son

Family members of several political prisoners, who were arrested on charges related to last year's Delhi pogrom, expressed determination in their fight for justice over a Zoom press conference organised by the Students Islamic Organisation of India (SIO). The meeting was also attended by former JNU student Umar Khalid's father, Sayed Qasim Rasool Ilyas, who said that he never considered himself as a victim and nor should others think so, as their kids are fighting to seek justice.

The members spoke at an online event called Sab Yaad Rakkha Jaega, on Saturday. The family members even shared their stories of struggle and agony, as they are forced to spend the holy month of Ramadan without their loved ones. Ilyas said, "I am glad that my son is among those who came forward and continued his fight against the false regime." His son was arrested on September 13, 2020, in a northeast Delhi riots case, which is being probed by the Special Cell, where charges under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) have been invoked. "We all miss him during Ramadan, but we are also happy that he is there for the right cause."

Jahan Ara, mother of Asif Iqbal Tanha, said she was proud of her son and everyone else behind the bars now. "He [Asif] always talks with a bright smile on his face and encourages me. My son did what was necessary for the nation."

Tanha, a third-year student of BA in the Persian language, at Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), was arrested under the stringent anti-terror law - Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, in a case related to the communal violence in northeast Delhi in February.

Khalid Saifi's wife shared her struggles in the meeting. Saifi, one of the United Against Hate's (UAH) founders and an assertive Muslim voice driving several activities against communal hate, was arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) last year. "Khalid was not tortured because of any crime, but because of the personal grudges of the police," she claimed. She said that she will continue her fight until all the false accusations are withdrawn.

Raihana, the wife of Siddique Kappan, a journalist who was arrested on October 5, 2020, and accused of sedition, while he was on his way to Hathras to report on the alleged gangrape and death of a Dalit woman, also spoke at the event. She said that her husband is a dedicated journalist and did nothing wrong. She added that her husband was being subjected to awful questions repeatedly. "He is asked questions like what is his relation with Rahul Gandhi and Dr Zakir Naik. He even got beaten up for accepting that he eats beef sometimes." She also shared that Kappan tested positive for COVID-19 last week, and his health is deteriorating.