Background
Meeran Haider is an Indian activist, leader, and human rights defender known for his role in Citizenship Amendment Act protests. He is also the President of the youth wing of the RJD. He is the co-founder of Jamia Students Forum (JSF), a platform for various student bodies and activists in JMI.
Life and Activism
Meeran Haider was born in 1991 at Barharia block of Siwan district, Bihar. As of 2020, his father is retired. His mother died in 2019. He moved to Delhi at a young age and did his schooling from Jamia Millia Islamia. He graduated in Mechanical Engineering, going on to pursue MBA in International Business and completing an M-Phil in West Asian Studies — all from Jamia. He is presently a Ph.D. research scholar at the Centre for Management Studies at Jamia. Earlier, Meeran was a member of the Aam Aadmi Party’s youth wing, Chatra Yuva Sangharsh Samiti (CYSS). Meeran went on a hunger strike in 2017 as part of a protest demanding the restoration of a Student Union in the university. He co-founded the Jamia Students Forum (JSF), a platform for student activists of the university. In 2019, he left the CYSS and joined Rashtriya Janta Dal (RJD). He is the President of RJD Youth Wing’s Delhi unit. He was also very active in the Anti-CAA protests.
Circumstances of Arrest
The Delhi police arrested him under fabricated charges of orchestrating communal violence in North East Delhi during the visit of former United States President Donald Trump to India. His family members and friends have accused the police of scapegoating him while shielding the BJP leaders who incited the violence. He actively participated in peaceful protests and gave speeches, but only to register his dissent against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). When he was arrested, he was providing relief to the migrant workers who were stranded in Delhi as a result of the unprecedented nationwide COVID-19 lockdown.
Charges & Allegations
Meeran Haider was charged under several sections of the Indian Penal Code relating to sedition, murder, criminal conspiracy, and promoting enmity between two religious groups, including sections 13, 16, 17, and 18 of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and Arms Act.
Current Status
He is currently lodged in Tihar jail. His bail was rejected by the trial court and is now pending before the Delhi High Court.