| Gulfisha Fatima | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1993 (age 31–32) Delhi |
| Alma mater | Delhi University |
| Occupation(s) | Activist, Radio personality |
| Known for | Student activism |
| Notable work | Citizenship Amendment Act protests |
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 April 9, 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).
Her arrest has been characterised by many as politically motivated, aimed at suppressing dissent against the government led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). 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.
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.
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.
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.
References
- "Gulfisha, Khalid seeks bail on grounds of parity". The Sunday Guardian Live. 2024-11-30. Retrieved 2025-01-01.
- Kakkar, Shruti (8 Jan 2025). "'Ruthless' conspiracy: Delhi Police opposes bail to 2020 riots accused". Hindustan Times.
- "Delhi Riots: Gulfisha Fatima, Booked For Terrorism, Is Quiet, Studious And Has A Strong Sense Of Justice, Says Family". HuffPost. 2020-08-18. Retrieved 2025-01-01.
- "Delhi Riots: New Charges, Multiple Bail Rejections Keep Gulfisha Fatima Lodged in Jail for 3 Years". The Wire. Retrieved 2025-01-01.
- "Gulfisha Fatima". Front Line Defenders. 2020-07-02. Retrieved 2025-01-01.
- ^ Bureau, The Hindu (2024-11-11). "2020 Delhi riots: SC refuses to entertain Gulfisha Fatima's bail plea, asks HC to hear case on Nov. 25". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2025-01-01.
{{cite news}}:|last=has generic name (help) - "Gulfisha Fatima | USCIRF". United States Commission on International Religious Freedom. 2024-12-30. Retrieved 2025-01-01.
- ^ Noor, Aliza (2024-08-09). "A Family's Endless Wait For Their Gul — The Gulfisha Fatima Story". TheQuint. Retrieved 2025-01-01.
- Staff, Scroll (2021-06-18). "Delhi violence: HC adjourns activist Gulfisha Fatima's plea for release, cites large number of cases". Scroll.in. Retrieved 2025-01-01.
- "Northeast Delhi riots: SC declines to entertain bail plea of Gulfisha Fatima, directs high court to hear matter". The Indian Express. 2024-11-11. Retrieved 2025-01-01.
- "Waiting for Gul: The Story of Gulfisha Fatima". The Wire. Retrieved 2025-01-01.
- Fatima, Heena (2024-09-19). "Families of Umar Khalid, Gulfisha Fatima call out VIP culture in bail. Want police reform". ThePrint. Retrieved 2025-01-01.
- Staff, Maktoob (2023-01-08). "Mere presence at meeting not crime, Gulfisha Fatima to HC in Delhi pogrom UAPA case". Maktoob media. Retrieved 2025-01-02.