Activists accuse Mumbai cops of pressuring people, raiding venues to stop Umar Khalid film screening
Activists allege that Mumbai police intimidated venue managers to force the cancellation of a documentary screening about jailed activist Umar Khalid. The organizers claim police visited multiple locations in civilian clothes to ensure the event did not take place.
Why it matters
The incident highlights ongoing tensions regarding freedom of speech, assembly, and the role of law enforcement in monitoring political dissent in India.
Activists Shrishti Khanna and Prashant Pundir have alleged that Mumbai police got the screening of a documentary on Umar Khalid, a former JNU students' union leader arrested in 2020 in connection with the Delhi riots case, cancelled after raiding the venue where it was to be held.
In a post on Instagram, Ms. Khanna said they were were supposed to screen "Prisoner No. 626710 Is Present" in solidarity with Mr. Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, also in jail since 2020, here on September 19.
"Mumbai Police has crossed all levels of cowardice! They have raided our original venue for the Umar Khalid screening as well, which had already been cancelled for us due to fear.
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