Umar Khalid is a well-known student leader from India. He was born on August 11, 1987. This news comes from sources dated as recent as September 17, 2025.

Early Life

Umar Khalid grew up in Jamia Nagar, Delhi. His full name is Syed Umar Khalid. He comes from a simple family. His father was active in social work. Umar went to Rai School for early studies. He liked history from a young age. School days were normal for him. He played with friends in the lanes. Delhi's busy life shaped his views. He saw poor people around him. This made him think about justice. Family taught him to speak truth. He learned Urdu, Hindi, and English well. These skills helped him later.

Umar finished school with good marks. He dreamed of big changes. His home had books on freedom fights. He read about old heroes. This sparked his fire for rights. Neighbors knew him as a smart boy. He helped in local issues. Small acts built his strong heart. By teen years, he joined debates. He spoke for weak groups. Life in Jamia Nagar showed him hate problems. Muslims faced bias there. Umar wanted to fight it. His early days set the path for activism.

Education

Umar joined Delhi University next. He picked History for BA degree. Kirori Mal College was his spot. Classes were tough but fun. Teachers saw his sharp mind. He scored high in exams. Friends called him thinker. He joined student groups early. Talks on caste and class filled nights. After BA, he went to JNU. Jawaharlal Nehru University is famous. There, he did MA in History. JNU changed him a lot. Free ideas flew in air. He met students from all India.

Umar kept going up. He earned MPhil degree. Then came PhD work. His thesis name is long. It is "Contesting Claims and Contingencies of the Rule on Adivasis of Jharkhand." He studied tribal people. Their fights from 1800 to 2000. Umar went to Jharkhand fields. He talked to Adivasis. Learned their pain from rulers. Thesis shows deep work. Even in hard times, he wrote it. Experts praise his book-like study. JNU made him scholar and fighter. He balanced books and protests.

Umar Khalid Age, Wikipedia, Biography, Birth Place, Religion, Wife, Family

Topic	Details
Full Name	Syed Umar Khalid [1][4]
Profession	Student activist, former research scholar in History [1][4]
Date of Birth	11 August 1987 [1][4]
Age (approx.)	Around 38 years (as of 2025) [1][9]
Birthplace	Jamia Nagar, New Delhi, India [1][4]
Hometown	Jamia Nagar, New Delhi [1]
Nationality	Indian [1][4]
Religion/Belief	Described as agnostic / non-religious in some profiles [9]
Father	Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas (associated with social and community work) [1]
Mother	Name not widely public, homemaker / supportive parent [1]
Siblings	Information not fully public; known to have close-knit family [1]
School Education	Rai School, New Delhi [1]
College (Graduation)	Bachelor’s in History, Delhi University (Kirori Mal College) [1]
Higher Studies	M.A., M.Phil, Ph.D. in History from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) [1][4]
Ph.D. Research Topic	History of Adivasis (tribal communities) in Jharkhand, about rule and resistance [1]
Student Organisation	Former leader of Democratic Students’ Union (DSU) at JNU [1][3]
Known For	Student activism, speeches on secularism, minority rights, and democracy [1][6]
Major Campus Controversy	Linked to 2016 JNU sedition case after an event on campus [4][3]
Key Campaign	Co-founder of “United Against Hate” campaign against lynching and hate crimes (started 2017) [1]
Role in Anti-CAA Protests	Active voice in protests against Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and NRC in 2019–2020 [1][2]
2020 Delhi Riots Case	Arrested in September 2020 under UAPA, accused in conspiracy case related to Delhi riots [2][5]
Current Legal Status (2025)	In jail for several years without full trial; bail repeatedly denied till latest reports [5][10]
International Attention	Listed as a prisoner of concern by global rights bodies for issues of free speech and religious freedom [5][6]
Relationship Status	In a long-term relationship with activist-academic Banojyotsna Lahiri (not legally married as per public info) [1][9]
Residence Before Arrest	Based in Delhi, moving between home, JNU campus, and activism spaces [1]
Ideology	Left-leaning, speaks for secularism, social justice, and rights of minorities and marginalised groups [1][11]
Languages Known	Hindi, Urdu, English (used in speeches and writings) [1]
Notable Strengths	Public speaking, organising protests, academic research in history [1][11]
Major Challenges	Long imprisonment, court cases under strict security laws, strong media and political criticism [2][6]
Public Image	Seen by supporters as a symbol of student resistance and free speech; seen by critics as a controversial figure in politics and law [1][2][6]
Net Worth	Not publicly disclosed; lives a simple lifestyle focused on activism and scholarship [1]

Activism

At JNU, Umar joined DSU. Democratic Students’ Union is left group. He became leader fast. DSU fights for poor rights. Umar spoke in big meetings. His voice was clear and bold. He led marches on campus. Issues like fees and jobs. He said no to rich rule. Friends followed him. 2016 brought big event. JNU had a small fight. Slogans upset many. Police came. Umar's name linked to it. He said it was for free speech. Case came under sedition law. Court sent him to jail for months.

He came out strong. Did not stop. Spoke more on TV and roads. People saw him as youth voice. He talked secularism. Means no hate on religion. Umar walked for Dalits and Muslims. His simple dress won hearts. Beard and calm eyes made him real. Attacks came on him. Once shot at but saved. Media called him names. He kept faith in truth. Activism grew big. JNU row made him national face.

Key Movements

2017 was big year. Umar started "United Against Hate." With friend Nadeem Khan. It fought lynchings. Cow fights killed many. Campaign spread fast. Posters and marches everywhere. Umar traveled India. Spoke in small towns. Helped victims' families. Hate crimes dropped in some spots. He linked it to jobs loss. Poor fight each other, he said. Group still works today. Umar's idea lives on.

CAA protests hit in 2019. Citizenship Amendment Act. Umar led big shows. With Shaheen Bagh women. Delhi roads filled with crowds. He said NRC-CAA hurts poor. Muslims fear most. Speeches went viral. Police clashed hard. Riots broke in Feb 2020. 50 died. Umar blamed hate laws. Delhi Police booked him again. UAPA charge came. Unlawful Activities Act. Very tough law. He went to jail Sept 2020. Bail pleas failed many times. Still inside as of 2025 news.

Recent News

Jail life is hard for Umar. Tihar Jail in Delhi. No PhD finish yet. Reads books there. Wrote on thinkers like Ranajit Guha. Court dates drag on. No trial end. Supporters say it's to silence him. Over 200 thinkers wrote for bail. World watches India. USCIRF lists him as prisoner. For faith rights. Umar stays calm. Writes letters. Family visits him. Sister and mother strong. Girlfriend Banojyotsna Lahiri waits. Long relation. She fights outside.

From jail, his voice echoes. Podcasts and old videos play. Youth see him as hero. Like old freedom fighters. Bahujan groups back him. Ambedkar fans too. He reads a lot in cell. History and rights books. No hate in his words. Thesis proves his peace love. Lockup hurts academics, say profs. Umar's brain wastes there. Nation loses thinker.

Personal Life

Umar is simple man. No big wealth. Net worth not known. Lives for cause. Eats basic food. Wears kurta mostly. Speaks Urdu poetry sometimes. Likes cricket chats. Family from Rampur, UP. Father Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas led welfare. Mother quiet support. Siblings close. No marriage yet. Banojyotsna is partner. She is writer too. They met in protests. Love in fight for justice. Umar hates caste walls. Atheist but respects all faiths.

Friends say he jokes well. In jail, he teaches inmates. History lessons free. Health okay but stress high. Age 38 now. Still young for change. Dreams of free India. No bias. Equal for all. His story inspires jobless youth. Stand up, he says. Nepotism kills dreams. Umar broke that chain. From DU to JNU to streets. Pure hard work.

Legacy

Umar Khalid marks new India fight. Student power vs state. His PhD on Adivasis teaches. Tribes lost lands to rules. Same now with laws. He links past to now. Protests changed talks. CAA slowed in courts. Hate group woke many. Youth vote more now. Umar's jail tests democracy. Free speech or fear? World asks. India youth need icons. He is one. Simple boy to leader.

Thinkers want him out. Publish thesis soon. Teach in class. Write books. Marches need his fire. Family hopes bail. As 2025 ends, wait goes on. Umar's story not end. It pushes for justice. Readers, think on his path. Speak truth. Fight fair. His life shows how. One man changes much. With words and walks. India remembers him.