Goa Police Question Protesters with 240-Item Questionnaire Over 'Free Umar Khalid' Slogan

At least two protesters who participated in a solidarity protest in Goa's Mapusa on July 24 were summoned by the Goa police and made to fill a questionnaire containing around 240 questions, according to sources. The protest was held in support of a larger demonstration at Delhi's Jantar Mantar.

The questionnaire included questions such as: 'What is your understanding of the words 'Free Umar Khalid'?', 'Did you shout the slogan 'Free Umar Khalid'? If yes, how many times?', 'Did you criticise any government authority during your address?', and 'Who financed the protest?'

The police action followed an 'application' submitted by a local group called 'Citizens of Mapusa'. One protester was summoned on Sunday and another on Monday for questioning. They were also asked about their affiliation with political parties, student organisations, NGOs, or activist groups, and whether they had deleted any electronic data related to the protest.

Superintendent of Police, North Goa, Harishchandra Madkaikar confirmed that a complaint was filed by the group. 'Based on that, we called them for an inquiry and after conducting the inquiry, they were allowed to go,' he said. Regarding the questionnaire, he stated, 'Certain questions were put to them and recorded as part of the inquiry. Usually when we start an inquiry, we are supposed to ask questions until we get a satisfactory answer, so certain questions were put.'

The protesters were also asked about their participation in similar protests in Goa or elsewhere, and whether they could provide their phones for examination.

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant commented on the matter at an event on Wednesday, criticising the presence of 'Free Umar Khalid' placards at a protest against NEET paper leaks. 'The students had the right to protest against NEET paper leaks, [but] they stooped too low. Placards seeking the release of Umar Khalid, who has links to Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, were shown at the protest at Azad Maidan. Why was the Umar Khalid issue brought into a protest over the NEET paper leak? By taking responsibility and in the nation's interest, Dharmendra Pradhan ji gave his resignation. We need to awaken nationalism in our students, so they do not disturb communal harmony,' Sawant said.

On Sunday, Sawant had stated that the police would take action against 'those attempting to spread anti-national sentiments and disturb the harmony' in the state.

Umar Khalid is an activist and former student of Jawaharlal Nehru University who is facing charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in connection with the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots. The protests in Mapusa were part of a series of demonstrations demanding his release.