A Delhi court has ordered the framing of charges against activist Sharjeel Imam, identifying him as a key figure in inciting the 2019 Jamia violence. Additional Sessions Judge Vishal Singh described Imam as not just an instigator but also a “kingpin of a larger conspiracy to incite violence” during the protests at Jamia Millia Islamia University.
The court highlighted a speech given by Imam on December 13, 2019, near Jamia University, which it deemed “venomous” and incendiary. Judge Singh noted that Imam’s speech pitted one religion against another, categorizing it as “indeed a hate speech.” This address, according to the prosecution, provoked the audience, questioning why the Muslim community in various northern states of India had not disrupted normal city functions or caused “chakka jam” (road blockades).
The order elaborated on the consequences of such actions, stating, “In a populous city like Delhi, at any given time scores of critically ill medical patients requiring urgent treatment are in a rush to reach hospitals. Chakka jaam can potentially lead to deterioration of their condition or even death if they do not receive medical care in time, which would be nothing short of culpable homicide.”
The court’s decision reflects its assessment that Imam craftily tailored his speech to avoid direct mentions of communities other than Muslims, but implied targets were clearly members of other communities. “His speech was calculated to evoke anger and hatred, the natural consequence of which was commission of widespread violence by members of unlawful assembly on public roads,” the judge added.
Imam is set to be charged under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including abetment, criminal conspiracy, promoting enmity between groups, rioting, unlawful assembly, attempt to commit culpable homicide, obstructing a public servant, causing mischief by fire or explosive substance, and under provisions of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act (PDPP).
The case also involves other accused individuals, namely Ashu Khan, Chandan Kumar, and Aasif Iqbal Tanha, whom the court noted had abetted the violent activities through prior conspiracy and instigation. They, along with Imam and others implicated in the violence, are accused of disrupting peace and causing significant public disorder during the protests that followed the passage of the Citizenship Amendment Act in December 2019.
