Voices From Prison: Hope Remains A Stubborn Thing Even In Captivity, Says Umar Khalid
Umar Khalid | 23 January 2026 | Outlook
Much had changed in Tihar as I returned after my interim bail this time around. Nearly fifty more prisoners had been placed in our barracks, which was already saturated in capacity. This meant that there was even lesser quiet than before. This dearth of peace pinched even more after the bail rejection by the Supreme Court. While I was still trying to recover from the media storm after the judgement, more prisoners knew me now than ever before, owing to the incessant reporting on television news and in newspapers. Now, everyone wants to talk to me for a while—whether out of curiosity or awe, it is difficult to tell. What I, on the other hand, crave more than anything else, is to be left alone.
My cell has been feeling different too. When I left for home after the interim bail, there was still hope somewhere that maybe, the judgement would be made in our favour. This is why I had bundled up all my books, notes, letters, pictures, cards and carried them home with me. Now that the bail has been rejected and there’s no chance to leave this place at least for another year, the space I created within my cell feels like an empty slate. Perhaps, this is a good thing. It’s a new innings, after all.