Gulfisha Fatima

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Gulfisha Fatima (born 1993) is an Indian student activist from Delhi, known for her involvement in protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA) and her advocacy for religious freedom and secularism. She gained significant attention for her role in peaceful demonstrations in Selampur, Delhi, which were part of a larger nationwide CAA Protest, a law criticised for allegedly discriminating against Muslims in India.

Fatima is currently lodged in Tihar Jail since 9 April 2020. Despite getting a bail, she’s still imprisoned without any trial in an alleged conspiracy case.

Arrest

Fatima was arrested on 9 April 2020, during the protests related to the 2020 Delhi riots, and has since been charged under multiple serious offences, including rioting, conspiracy, and violations of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). ^{[1] [2]} ] Despite being granted bail in some cases, she remains incarcerated due to ongoing charges under the UAPA, which has drawn international scrutiny and calls for her release from various human rights organisations, including the United Nations and the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom. ^{[3] [4] [5] [6] [7]}

Imprisonment without trial

As of early 2025, Fatima has been in Indefinite detention for nearly four years without any trial in a controversial conspiracy case, despite widespread criticism from human rights groups. ^{[6] [8] [9]}

Her case is emblematic of broader concerns regarding the treatment of activists and religious minorities in India, particularly in the context of the CAA protests and the subsequent riots in Delhi. ^{[10] [11] [12]}

Early life and education

Gulfisha Fatima was born into a Muslim family in Delhi. She went to pursue Urdu Honours from Kirori Mal College, Delhi University, and then completed her MBA from Institute of Management Education in Ghaziabad. She was working as a radio jockey before getting arrested in 2020. ^{[13] [8]}

References

1. "Gulfisha, Khalid seeks bail on grounds of parity". The Sunday Guardian Live. 30 November 2024. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
2. Kakkar, Shruti (8 January 2025). "'Ruthless' conspiracy: Delhi Police opposes bail to 2020 riots accused". Hindustan Times .
3. "Delhi Riots: Gulfisha Fatima, Booked For Terrorism, Is Quiet, Studious And Has A Strong Sense Of Justice, Says Family". HuffPost . 18 August 2020. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
4. "Delhi Riots: New Charges, Multiple Bail Rejections Keep Gulfisha Fatima Lodged in Jail for 3 Years". The Wire. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
5. "Gulfisha Fatima". Front Line Defenders. 2 July 2020. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
6. "2020 Delhi riots: SC refuses to entertain Gulfisha Fatima's bail plea, asks HC to hear case on Nov. 25". The Hindu. 11 November 2024. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 1 January 2025.
7. "Gulfisha Fatima | USCIRF". United States Commission on International Religious Freedom . 30 December 2024. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
8. Noor, Aliza (9 August 2024). "A Family's Endless Wait For Their Gul — The Gulfisha Fatima Story". TheQuint. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
9. Scroll Staff (18 June 2021). "Delhi violence: HC adjourns activist Gulfisha Fatima's plea for release, cites large number of cases". Scroll.in. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
10. "Northeast Delhi riots: SC declines to entertain bail plea of Gulfisha Fatima, directs high court to hear matter". The Indian Express. 11 November 2024. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
11. "Waiting for Gul: The Story of Gulfisha Fatima". The Wire. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
12. Fatima, Heena (19 September 2024). "Families of Umar Khalid, Gulfisha Fatima call out VIP culture in bail. Want police reform". ThePrint. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
13. "Mere presence at meeting not crime, Gulfisha Fatima to HC in Delhi pogrom UAPA case". Maktoob media. 8 January 2023. Retrieved 2 January 2025.