India
Imran Masood Condemns ‘Free Kashmir’ Slogans, Says SC Will Deliver Justice To Sharjeel Imam | Exclusive
By: News18 India
Published: 24 October 2026
Photo / Illustration: Haldwani Times News Desk
<p>Congress MP Imran Masood has condemned the ‘Free Kashmir’ slogans painted inside Jamia Millia Islamia, asserting that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India.</p>
<p>He has also called for strict action against those responsible for writing the slogans, while maintaining that the Supreme Court should decide on the question of justice for jailed activist Sharjeel Imam.</p>
<p>Speaking to CNN-News18 after visiting the university on Wednesday night, Masood said the slogans were an attempt to divert attention from the ongoing student protest demanding the restoration of student union elections and the reinstatement of students who have been rusticated.</p>
<p>“The movement is being weakened through a conspiracy. Those who wrote these slogans should be identified and strict action should be taken against them. Kashmir is an integral part of India and will remain so," Masood said.</p>
<p>He categorically rejected the suggestion that the ‘Free Kashmir’ slogans had his support, adding that no Indian would endorse such a demand. “Kashmir is our heart," he said.</p>
<p>Imran Masood Backs Student Union Election Demand</p>
<p>The Congress MP said students at Jamia had been on hunger strike to demand the restoration of student union elections and the reinstatement of rusticated students.</p>
<p>Congress MP Imran Masood condemned the Free Kashmir slogans painted inside Jamia and asserted that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India.</p>
<p>Masood stated that the slogans were an attempt to divert attention from student protests demanding the restoration of student union elections.</p>
<p>Masood maintained that the Supreme Court should decide the question of justice and release for jailed activist Sharjeel Imam.</p>
<p>Questioning the delay in holding elections, Masood said the university should announce an election date and implement the recommendations of the Lyngdoh Committee.</p>
<p>“Announce the election date and end the children’s hunger strike. Their health must also be taken care of, especially when they have been on hunger strike for 12 days," he said.</p>
<p>Masood alleged that the university administration was delaying the process and argued that the students’ demands should not be allowed to remain unresolved.</p>
<p>The protest, which began on October 12, intensified after university authorities removed protesting students from Ghalib Lawn on October 17, according to the discussion.</p>
<p>The controversy over the slogans has added another dimension to the agitation, with Masood arguing that the issue was being used to undermine the students’ demands for elected representation.</p>
<p>‘Supreme Court Will Deliver Justice To Sharjeel Imam’</p>
<p>On the demand for Sharjeel Imam’s release, Masood maintained that every individual was entitled to justice under the Constitution and that the Supreme Court should decide the matter.</p>
<p>Asked about Imam’s alleged remarks concerning the Siliguri Corridor, commonly referred to as the Chicken’s Neck, and the charges against him in the 2020 Delhi riots case, including under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), Masood repeatedly said that the Supreme Court was the appropriate forum to deliver justice.</p>
<p>“Everyone has the right to justice under the Constitution. The Supreme Court will deliver justice, and we must have faith in the Supreme Court," he said.</p>
<p>Several courts have rejected Imam’s bail pleas. He is an accused in the larger conspiracy case related to the 2020 Delhi riots.</p>
<p>Masood’s position was that the question of Imam’s release must be determined through the judicial process, rather than through political arguments.</p>
<p>The Congress MP also questioned who had written the slogans targeting the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and calling for ‘Free Kashmir’ and ‘Free Sharjeel Imam’.</p>
<p>He suggested that the slogans could be intended to divert attention from the students’ agitation and urged the university administration to examine CCTV footage to identify those responsible.</p>
<p>When asked whether the protesting students were behind the slogans, Masood rejected the suggestion.</p>
<p>“I have openly spoken about this there, and everyone supported what I said," he claimed, adding that the university should investigate the matter and take action against those responsible.</p>
<p>Congress MP Imran Masood strongly condemned the slogans painted inside Jamia Millia Islamia, asserting that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and that no Indian would endorse such a demand. He called for an investigation using CCTV footage to identify and take strict action against those responsible for the graffiti, which he suggested was an attempt to divert attention from student protests.</p>
<p>The protesting students have been on a hunger strike demanding the restoration of university student union elections and the reinstatement of students who were rusticated. Their agitation intensified after authorities removed protesting students from Ghalib Lawn on October 17, 2026.</p>
<p>Imran Masood maintained that every individual is entitled to constitutional justice and asserted that the Supreme Court is the appropriate forum to decide the matter concerning jailed activist Sharjeel Imam. He emphasized that the question of Imam's release should be determined through the judicial process rather than through political arguments.</p>
