Goa Police question organisers of student protests over funding, pro-Umar Khalid placards

Goa Police have questioned organisers of recent student protests in the state over the funding and intent behind the demonstrations after complaints were filed regarding alleged pro-Umar Khalid slogans and placards displayed during the events.

The protests, held in Panaji and Mapusa, were organised to demand the resignation of former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan following the controversy over examination irregularities. During celebrations after Pradhan's resignation last week, two youths were detained for allegedly expressing support for jailed student activist Umar Khalid. Khalid is an accused in the 2020 northeast Delhi riots case.

According to officials, both demonstrations were organised by the NGO Uzvaad. A local group, Citizens of Mapusa, subsequently lodged a police complaint objecting to the alleged display of pro-Khalid placards during the protests.

As part of the investigation, Panaji Police on July 29 summoned Amreen Shaikh, secretary of the NGO. While Shaikh was unavailable for comment, sources said the investigating officer asked around 240 questions, focusing primarily on the funding of the protests, their organisation and the alleged intent behind the slogans and placards.

According to sources, the questioning covered issues such as who led the protests, whether the organisers were part of WhatsApp, Telegram or Signal groups related to the demonstrations, how participants travelled to the venues, the purpose of the protests and whether the organisers had links with any political party, social organisation or student group.

North Goa Superintendent of Police Harischandra Madkaikar said the investigation was initiated following a complaint filed by a local group. He said the questions posed to the organisers were part of the investigation and that they were allowed to leave after the questioning concluded.

The controversy has also drawn political attention, with Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant criticising the display of alleged pro-Umar Khalid placards during a protest centred on examination issues and questioning their relevance to the students' demands.