Posters demanding ‘Free Umar Khalid’ seen at Mapusa protest
Panaji, Goa – A demonstration concerning the NEET paper leak agitation was held on the evening of 25 July at Lohia Udyan in Mapusa. During the protest, several participants carried posters in support of Umar Khalid—who was arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for his alleged role in plotting the February 2020 Delhi riots and inciting violence, and who currently remains in judicial custody.
Cockroach NEET Protest in Goa:
“Har Ghar se Umar Khalid niklega, har ghar se Sharjeel Imam niklega” pic.twitter.com/SPXoLy9pzx
— Facts (@BefittingFacts) July 27, 2026
Chants of “We shall take our freedom” were raised during the demonstration, where a female student was seen holding a placard reading “Free Umar Khalid”.
Actor Abhishek Banerjee, along with prominent local figures including Cecil Rodrigues, Francis Coelho, Rahul Mhambre, Sudeep Dalvi, Chetan Kamat, and Durgadas Kamat, among others, participated in the event.
The Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) questioned the relevance of Umar Khalid to a student movement addressing NEET paper leaks. The Samiti urged the local administration and police to take strict action against those attempting to divert the students’ cause to support anti-national figures.
Panaji Police Detain Youth Identified As Mohammad Danish For Allegedly Displaying #FreeUmar placard pic.twitter.com/OmTgRTVtfv
— In Goa 24×7 (@InGoa24x7) July 25, 2026
Person displaying a poster supporting Umar Khalid taken into police custody
In support of the Delhi agitation demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, a group of from Goa gathered at Azad Maidan in Panaji carrying a poster that read “Free Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Bhima Koregaon 16”. The person holding this poster was taken into custody by Panaji Police.
