Athar Khan is an Indian activist known for his involvement in the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC). These protests took place across the country in late 2019 and early 2020.[1][2] His participation in the movement included addressing concerns about the potential effects of these policies on citizen rights and the secular nature of India.[3][4][5][6]
Athar Khan | |
|---|---|
| Born | Turkman Gate, Delhi |
| Citizenship | Indian |
| Alma mater | Sikkim Manipal University |
| Occupation | Activist |
| Years active | 2012 |
| Movement | Citizenship Amendment Act protests |
Education
editIn 2013, he enrolled in a bachelor's degree program in Commerce at Delhi University but had to withdraw when his father’s business closed down.[7][8] In 2014, he resumed his studies by enrolling in a bachelor's degree program in Business Administration at Sikkim Manipal University.[9][10]
Life
edit
In 2012, he joined the Nirbhaya Movement, advocating for justice in the high-profile Delhi gang rape and murder case. He later became active in grassroots-level electoral politics. In 2015, he campaigned for Kapil Mishra, who was running for the Karawal Nagar seat in the Delhi Assembly under the Aam Aadmi Party,[11] also assisting Mishra's social media team. Mishra, who at the time shared a close bond with Khan, later delivered a speech that has been linked to the communal violence in Delhi in February 2020, an event after which Khan was subsequently detained.[12][13][14]
Delhi riots conspiracy case
editHe involved in protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC), was detained on 2 July 2020 by the Delhi Police Special Cell. The charges, which include various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA),[15] accuse him of organizing protests linked to the February 2020 Delhi violence. Khan was held in Tihar Jail and was initially denied contact with his family and legal counsel due to COVID-19 protocols.[16] His family,[17] unable to afford private legal representation, has been supported by the Association for Protection of Civil Rights.[18][19]
While Khan has faced multiple charges, including two other FIRs, no concrete evidence has placed him at the specific sites of alleged incidents. His association with anti-CAA activism and his prior ties to a political figure who later made controversial statements about the unrest have, his family believes, contributed to his legal challenges.[20]
He was arrested by the Delhi Police Special Cell on charges related to organizing and abetting the February 2020 Delhi violence. The charges included criminal conspiracy, sedition, and various offenses under the IPC, UAPA, and PDPP Act.[21]
While in custody, he faced additional charges in two other FIRs. Accused him of robbing a showroom during the unrest, involving charges of rioting and unlawful assembly. Alleged his involvement in the murder of Head Constable Ratan Lal, with charges of murder, unlawful assembly, and damage to public property.[17]
References
edit- ^ "दिल्ली दंगे की साजिश रचने के आरोपित अतहर खान को झटका, कड़कड़डूमा कोर्ट ने जमानत देने से किया इन्कार - Karkardooma Court denies bail to Athar Khan accused of plotting Delhi riots". Jagran (in Hindi). Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- ^ "Delayed Justice & Alleged Violations of Constitutional Rights In Quest Of 9 Delhi Riots Accused For Bail". article-14.com. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- ^ Ansari, Masihuzzama (26 August 2022). "No light at end of tunnel for Athar Khan, behind bars for alleged role in Delhi riots". National Herald. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- ^ Khan, Rushda Fathima (6 July 2021). "Athar Khan: A 'forgotten hero' of anti-CAA protest languishing in jail". Maktoob media. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- ^ Jalali, Ujwal (26 February 2024). "North East Delhi riots: So, what did they do in 2020?". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- ^ Developer, Web. "How history will remember Athar Khan". Mid-day. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- ^ "Four Years Since Anti-CAA Protests, Student Activists Await Justice". Outlook India. 8 January 2024. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- ^ PTI (19 September 2023). "Applications of Delhi riots case accused seeking probe status frivolous, speculative: Prosecution". www.millenniumpost.in. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- ^ "In Jail For Exercising Civil Disobedience: A Profile Of Athar Khan - The Polis Project". Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- ^ PTI (22 September 2023). "Applications of Delhi riots case accused seeking probe status not maintainable, says prosecution". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- ^ "Families of Imprisoned Anti-CAA Activists Question Selective Use of 'Bail is the Rule' Principle". thewire.in. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- ^ Moizee, Shadab (21 June 2022). "Delhi Riots: 'Those Calling Him Traitor Are Fools,' Says Athar Khan's Father". TheQuint. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- ^ Bharat, E. T. V. (5 September 2024). "2020 Delhi Riots: Investigation completed, Delhi Police Say Conspiracy Triggered Violence". ETV Bharat News. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- ^ Aslam, Ayesha Ayath (2 February 2024). "Activist Athar Khan Awaits Bail for Over 40 Months in Delhi Riots Case". The Observer Post. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- ^ "The Internationalist". act.progressive.international. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- ^ "Third Year of Delhi Riots: 3 Tragic Stories, Same Plot". Newsclick.
- ^ a b Bhardwaj, Ananya (16 September 2020). "Anti-CAA protesters wanted to engineer Delhi riots, not just block roads, says charge sheet". ThePrint. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- ^ Hoda, Anwarul (15 November 2021). "Wrongfully Imprisoned for Last 500 Days, Story of the Forgotten Hero of Anti CAA NRC Protests Athar Khan - Of The Citizens". Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- ^ "2020 riots: In Delhi HC, arguments to start afresh on bail pleas of Gulfisha, Saifi". The Indian Express. 30 August 2024. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- ^ "2020 Delhi riots larger conspiracy case: Arguments on charges to begin from September 5". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- ^ Bharathi, Vartha. "Families of Anti-CAA activists question selective application of 'bail is the rule' principle". english.varthabharati.in. Retrieved 7 November 2024.