Nation's Sovereignty Under Siege: The 2020 Riot Controversy

The bail pleas of activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, accused in the 2020 Delhi riots, have been fiercely opposed by Delhi police in the Supreme Court. The police argue that the riots were pre-planned and aimed at attacking national sovereignty, transcending mere agitation against the Citizenship Amendment Act.

In a crucial Supreme Court hearing on Tuesday, Delhi police vocalized robust opposition to the bail pleas of activists Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, and others involved in the February 2020 riots. The force contends that the tragic events transcended spontaneous protests, constituting an orchestrated attack on national sovereignty.

Represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, the police clarified to Justices Aravind Kumar and N V Anjaria that the disturbances were not just reactions against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. Instead, there were deliberate attempts to foment communal division, a strategy evidenced through numerous speeches and public statements.

Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Mehta cited Sharjeel Imam's inflammatory statements calling for widespread disruption. While the narrative surrounding young activists is gaining traction on social media, officials stress that the accused's actions contribute significantly to delays in their trial proceedings.

(With inputs from agencies.)