Panaji: A member of an NGO, Mohammad Danish, who was seen holding a placard reading ‘Free Umar Khalid’, was placed under preventive arrest by Panaji police, while activist Sudeep Dalvi was arrested for allegedly insulting and outraging the modesty of a woman. The incident occurred on Saturday evening following celebrations at Azad Maidan, Panaji, over the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Both were later released.
Police said Danish has been staying in a rented apartment in Caranzalem since 2024. On Sunday, expressing concern over the placard displayed in support of what they described as “anti-India mindsets” such as Umar Khalid, several youths and students from various organisations assembled at Azad Maidan. The participants urged the public not to fall prey to what they described as anti-India propaganda.
“Displaying placards in support of anti-India mindsets such as Umar Khalid is a direct insult to our Bharat Mata and our brave martyrs,” said one youth.
“Our political ideologies may differ, but criticising the nation is not acceptable,” said a student during the protest.
Tension had prevailed in Panaji on Saturday after police detained Danish for inquiry after he allegedly refused to reveal his identity.
Activists raised concerns over the detention, stating that it amounted to dictatorship. They later staged a protest outside the police headquarters demanding Danish’s release.
Khalid has been lodged in Delhi’s Tihar Jail for over six years. He was arrested in September 2020 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and is accused of being a key conspirator in the February 2020 Delhi riots.
Uzwaad secretary Amreen Sheikh questioned for four hours over Mapusa NEET protest
Mapusa: Mapusa police questioned Uzwaad secretary Amreen Sheikh for nearly four hours in connection with the student protest held at Lohia Garden, Mapusa, over the NEET paper leak issue.
The questioning followed a complaint filed on Saturday by a citizen group from Mapusa seeking an inquiry into the protest, alleging that slogans including ‘Free Umar Khalid’ were raised and placards supporting Khalid were displayed.
The protest was held on Friday at Lohia Garden, where students and others demanded the resignation of the Union Minister over the NEET paper leak issue.
Sources stated that Sheikh was questioned from 3 pm to 7 pm in the presence of her lawyer. During the questioning, police asked her about the protest, including whether she had seen any placards or heard slogans supporting Umar Khalid.
After the preliminary questioning, police allowed Sheikh to leave. No case has been registered by Mapusa police in the matter so far.
Speaking to the media, Sheikh said, “We have full faith in democracy and the Constitution. We might be delayed, but will not be denied justice. We have trust in the Republic of India and democracy.”
