Mahmoud Khalil and Umar Khalid: A Tale of Two Student Protestors from India and the U.S.

In the world’s two biggest and largest democracies, in the sprawling, diverse landscapes of India and the U.S., two men emerge as poignant symbols of resistance and defiance against what many believe to be unjust actions against them for doing what is held dear in democracies – freedom of speech and the individual right to question perceived injustices: Umar Khalid and Mahmoud Khalil.

Both have faced the wrath of their respective states for daring to challenge the status quo and raise their voices for justice. One, a student at the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi, and the other at the equally prestigious and renowned Columbia University, New York. Both have doctorate degrees. One is a citizen, while the other is a Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) married to a U.S. citizen. One is sitting in the infamous Tihar jail for the last 5 years and the other was picked up by the U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) last week for immediate deportation. The move has fueled nationwide protests organized outside Federal buildings in cities across the country and petitions signed by millions demanding his immediate release.

The Voice of India’s Student Resistance

Umar Khalid has been a prominent figure of student protests that had swept across the nation in the recent years. Known for his fiery speeches and unwavering commitment to social justice, Khalid has become a beacon of hope for many young Indians who seek to challenge the rising tide of authoritarianism in their country, mob justice meted out to minorities in the country like lynchings over beef and bulldozing homes.

Khalid’s journey as a protestor began in 2016, when he was accused of sedition for allegedly shouting anti-national slogans during a university event. The charges, widely seen as politically motivated, sparked a nationwide debate about freedom of expression and the role of dissent in a democracy. Despite facing intense scrutiny and threats to his life, Khalid continued to speak out against the government’s policies, particularly its controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC).

In August 2020, Umar Khalid was arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for his alleged involvement in the Delhi riots that occurred earlier that year. His arrest was condemned by human rights organizations and activists worldwide, who viewed it as an attempt to silence a vocal critic of the regime. Khalid remains in jail, awaiting trial, but his spirit and message continue to inspire a new generation of activists in India.

An American’s Battle for Social Justice and Palestine

On the other side of the globe, Mahmoud Khalil has also faced significant challenges as a protestor against global injustice. But President Donald Trump on his Truth Social handle has likened Khalil to a terrorist sympathizer, even though Khalil has been vocal about his contempt for Hamas. Others portray him as a Palestinian activist, singled out for his outspoken support for Palestine. But long before he was arrested by federal agents on March 8, Khalil had once told CNN he felt called to advocate for the liberation of both the Palestinian and Jewish people as a refugee. 

“As a Palestinian student, I believe that the liberation of the Palestinian people and the Jewish people are intertwined and go hand-by-hand and you cannot achieve one without the other,” he told CNN last spring when he was one of the negotiators representing student demonstrators during talks with Columbia University’s administration. “Our movement is a movement for social justice and freedom and equality for everyone,” he said. Khalil came to U.S. as a Palestinian refugee fleeing the war in Syria, but his family is from Tiberias, an Israeli city that was once known for its mixed Jewish and Arab population. Khalil who is a legal resident of the U.S., was arrested and detained by federal agents after his lawyer said his green card was revoked by the Trump administration. His attorney, Amy Greer, said Khalil’s wife, who is an American citizen, was also present during his arrest and is eight months pregnant.

Khalil’s story is a stark reminder that the fight against injustice is not confined to any one country or region. It is a global struggle that transcends borders and unites people from all walks of life in their pursuit of a fairer, more just world. USA and Columbia University have a long history of student-led protests. The summer of 1969 when students in thousands were protesting the Vietnam War; in 1970 Kent State in Ohio witnessed national guards shoot at defenseless protesting students, leading to four student fatality. Arresting students or even ordinary people and labeling them terrorists because of their set of beliefs, goes against any democracy. 

The fact that Umar Khalid and Mohammed Kahili, though separated by thousands of miles and differing political landscapes, happen to be minorities in both countries is hardly surprising. Have their fates been decided to set an example for others? Perhaps. Their stories highlight the importance of dissent in a democracy and serve as a powerful reminder of the resilience and courage required to challenge actions that don’t uphold democratic values.

As we reflect on their journeys, it is crucial to recognize the sacrifices made by individuals like Khalid and Kahili in their pursuit of justice. Their unwavering commitment to their cause serves as an inspiration to us all, urging us to continue the fight for a more equitable and just world. It behooves us to not sit pretty with the notion that “we” are not “them”, nothing could harm “us”. History has taught us that becoming “them” from “Us” takes but a few months and fewer actions by a select few. 

---

Kuhu Singh is a writer with an interest in social justice, cultural and political matters, here in the U.S., in India, and beyond.