Actor and activist Prakash Raj has made a striking statement regarding the incarceration of former JNU student Umar Khalid, saying that he is in jail to ensure that India does not become a prison. The comment was made during the launch of a new book compiled by Anirban Bhattacharya, Banojyotsna Lahiri, and Shuddhabrata Sengupta.
Book Launch Event
The book, which attempts to map what one speaker described as 'a world that begins in a prison cell but does not end there,' was unveiled in Bengaluru on 28 April 2026. At the event, Prakash Raj was among the speakers who addressed the gathering.
In his speech, Prakash Raj said, 'Umar is in jail to ensure that India does not become a prison. This is not just about one individual; it is about the idea of justice and democracy in our country.' His remarks drew attention to the broader implications of political detentions and the state of civil liberties in India.
Background of Umar Khalid
Umar Khalid, a former student of Jawaharlal Nehru University, has been in custody since September 2020 in connection with a case related to the Delhi riots of February 2020. He has been charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and has been denied bail multiple times. His continued detention has been a subject of debate, with many activists and political leaders questioning the legal basis and proportionality of his imprisonment.
The book launched at the event is a compilation of writings and reflections that seek to explore the experience of incarceration and its impact on society. The editors, Anirban Bhattacharya, Banojyotsna Lahiri, and Shuddhabrata Sengupta, have brought together voices that speak to the resilience of the human spirit even in the face of confinement.
Prakash Raj's statement adds to the ongoing discourse on the state of democracy and freedom in India. The event was attended by several writers, activists, and members of the public who expressed solidarity with the cause of civil liberties.
