Earlier today, JNU student leader Umar Khalid was reportedly attacked by an unidentified gunman outside the Constitution Club of India in New Delhi. Khalid escaped unharmed, even as the assailant managed to evade capture in the ensuing chaos.
According to multiple reports, the attacker tried to take a shot at Khalid, but failed to do so as onlookers fought and chased after him.
It is being verified. He said that he was attacked. Somebody pounced on Umar Khalid and pushed, thereafter he tried to fire at Khalid.But the person immediately couldn't fire.People started chasing him thereafter according to Khalid the attacker fired in the air:Madhur Verma, DCP https://t.co/PrjsHNz3p0
In an interview with The Quint immediately after the incident, Khalid said that he wasn't surprised at the attempt on his life.
Politician and activist Jignesh Mevani also released a statement urging PM Modi to address the attack and provide immediate police protection for Khalid.
My reaction on Umar Khalid
Mevani claimed that no action was taken by the authorities even after he received multiple death threats in the past month. He also claimed that possible attacks on Umar Khalid and student leader Shehla Rashid were mentioned in the threats.
Many prominent journalists and activists are calling out news outlets like Republic TV and Times Now for inciting hatred against anyone who speaks against the government.
Shocking and highly condemnable: a guy attacked Umar Khalid from behind and tried to shoot him in Delhi. This is the direct result of hatred whipped up by Republic TV & other hate media. I spoke to Umar. He's okay, but we should be very very worried about his safety.
Wage a motivated hate campaign against individuals & sooner or later someone will feel emboldened enough to take the law in to their own hands. The attack on @UmarKhalidJNU is the direct result of the relentless hate campaign using both social & mainstream media. Glad he’s well.
The #lynchmob in VVIP Delhi has a pistol now. The next time it will fire too. Alarming levels of hatred, malevolence and obsessively fanned fake propaganda have brought upon this failed assault on @UmarKhalidJNU Can’t take enough care with murderous lunacy on the loose
Umar Khalid was one of the students charged with sedition in 2016, along with Kanhaiya Kumar, following which massive protests were organised in their support.
