New Delhi: A sudden stir disrupts the tranquil, chilly morning of the final day of the first month of the year in Okhla, an area predominantly inhabited by Muslims. A contingent of approximately 20 police officers accompany a man clad in white kurta-pyjama, advancing through a narrow alley.
The area is echoing with the sound of police shoes. Passers-by are surprised. Then, one exclaims: “Hey! This is Shifa bhai!”
The man with a white beard acknowledges the greeting by lifting his right hand, while his left hand is held by a policeman.
Individuals begin to accompany the convoy heading towards Ghaffar Manzil, the residence of Shifa-ur Rehman, who served as the president of the Jamia Millia Islamia Alumni Association and is the AIMIM candidate for the Okhla assembly constituency.
Shifa, a prominent figure in the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act and anti-National Register of Citizens movement at Jamia, and an accused in a 2020 Delhi riots case, has spent nearly five years in jail. Following his nomination from Asaduddin Owaisi’s party, the court approved his custody parole for campaigning. This incurs a daily expense of approximately Rs 1,66,000.
The vehicle in which the police brought Shifa-ur Rehman to Okhla.
The Karkardooma court approved Shifa’s parole from January 30 to February 3. He was permitted to be outside jail for 12 hours each day to engage in election campaigning. This includes the time required to travel to and from the assembly constituency.
During rallies and speeches, a constable constantly holds his hand and the police record all activities on camera. Shifa is prohibited from holding his mobile phone in his hand or from changing out of his prison clothes. His brief interactions with family members occur under police supervision.
A vehicle roaming the streets of Okhla for Shifa-ur Rehman’s campaign.
Election campaign of a prisoner
As soon as Shifa-ur Rehman enters his house, he is greeted by a queue of people. Some embrace him warmly, while others shake hands with him. However, police officer Ashok Kumar, with three stars on his shoulder, raises an objection to this interaction. In response, a disheartened Shifa remarks, “How am I supposed to campaign under these circumstances?”
Shifa tells police that while he had no issues with the team accompanying him the previous day, the current team is causing difficulties. In response, Ashok Kumar says that the police team would be rotated daily.
Shifa voices concern about the time wasted in the process of getting him to report to a local police station first. The police tell him that it is obligatory procedure.
The police prevent Shifa from talking on the phone. Shifa tells his lawyer Ahmed Gulrez, “If this situation continues, please revoke the custody parole. What is the use if I am unable to do anything?”
Ahmed Gulrez tells Ashok Kumar, “Each morning one hour is wasted in contemplating what we can and cannot do.”
“Sir, it is a matter of safety and security,” says Ashok Kumar.
After numerous requests, several police officers exit the room; however, seven officers stay behind with him. A constable is with Shifa the entire time.
A police officer named Vijay Pal Singh document all interactions with a video camera.
Shifa is an academic. He is an alumnus of Jamia Millia Islamia and was known to be a helpful activist among students. He often alludes to his university along with issues like education and youth in his speeches and interviews.
While he is on the campaign trail, Shifa’s case is heard by a judge through a video link. Hearing the complaints of Shifa’s lawyer, Judge Sameer Vajpayee reprimands Ashok Kumar saying, “Who told you that he cannot talk on the phone?”
Kumar is unable to respond.
The police in-charge tells the judge that people hugging and shaking hands with him can cause problems.
“Who told you that he cannot do this?” asks Justice Vajpayee.
Kumar is again unable to respond.
“He will meet his family, his friends; he will talk to whoever comes to meet him, he can talk to anyone,” says the Judge.
Shifa-ur Rehman attending the court hearing with his lawyer through video conferencing.
After being reprimanded by the judge, the demeanour of the police officers shift. The mood lightens, and one officer playfully inquires, “Whose government do you think will be formed?” Shifa responds with a smile, “How do I know? I am in jail.”
Shifa’s friends from Jamia embrace him. Some of them are crying. One of his friends facilitates a video call, allowing him to connect with others. Introducing his friend Akhtar, Shifa reminisces about the past, saying, “We used to play carrom here; now everything has changed.”
Shifa’s house is bustling with police officers equipped with firearms and cameras, media personnel, party members, neighbours, and visitors. From a corner, Shifa’s 12-year-old son, Arhaan, gazes at his father. He has a fever, but disregards his mother’s advice and remains close to his father.
Shifa-ur-Rahman talking to family members under police surveillance.
A new innings in politics
Shifa, now venturing into mainstream politics for the first time, is endeavouring to adjust to this new environment.
His hands shake as he records promotional videos for the party. Despite delivering powerful speeches during the CAA-NRC protests, Shifa often finds himself struggling during the campaign video shoots, becoming shy and making the recording process quite challenging.
Shifa-ur-Rahman recording the video.
Shifa’s entire campaign is fundamentally rooted in emotions. He portrays his five years of incarceration as a sacrifice made for the benefit of society. Emphasising the separation he experienced from his wife, children, mother, and friends, he asserted his innocence and urged the public to seek retribution for his imprisonment through their votes.
Before he got custody parole, Shifa’s wife Noorin Fatima was leading his election campaign. Noorin graduated from Aligarh Muslim University in 2002 and married Shifa in 2008.
Noorin says during her time in college, she was part of the Talented Ward (TW) at the hostel. Although she experienced ‘stage fright’ during her college years, she is now required to speak on stage frequently.
Noorin Fatima addressing an election rally.
The AIMIM candidate is pitted against Aam Aadmi Party MLA Amanatullah Khan, who has secured victory in the previous two elections. The Congress party has nominated Ariba Khan, the daughter of seasoned Congress leader Asif Mohammad Khan, for this constituency. Ariba currently serves as a councillor in the Delhi Municipal Corporation.
The BJP has nominated Manish Chaudhary, who aims to reinforce the party’s Hindutva while also attempting to engage with the Muslim community. Muslims in the area struggle to place their trust in the BJP.
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has conducted numerous rallies in support of Shifa, drawing large audiences. The Muslim community in Okhla is not exactly happy with the incumbent MLA Khan. Residents are frustrated by the poor condition of roads, accumulation of waste, and the absence of essential services.
Translated from the Hindi original – which appeared on The Wire Hindi – by Naushin Rehman.