Delhi Riots: Student Activists Natasha, Devangana, Asif, Arrested Under UAPA, Released On Bail

As the students came out of Tihar jail, they were greeted with slogans of 'Lal Salaam', 'Natasha Zindabad', 'Devangana Zindabad'.

Student activists Natasha Narwal, Asif Iqbal Tanha and Devangana Kalita outside Tihar jail. (Image: PTI)

New Delhi: Hours after the a High Court granted them bail in connection with the northeast Delhi riots 'conspiracy' case, student activists Natasha Narwal, Devangana Kalita and Asif Iqbal were released from jail on Wednesday evening. 

The three activists were arrested by Delhi Police in May last year under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). 

Upon their release, crowd including their family members and friends gathered outside the jail to welcome the trio. After coming out of the jail premises after a year long stay behind the bars, JNU students Natasha and Devangana thanked their friends and well-wishers. 

As the students came out of Tihar jail, they were greeted with slogans of 'Lal Salaam', 'Natasha Zindabad', 'Devangana Zindabad'.

Natasha Narwal was greeted in special manner as crowd raised in memory of her father, Mahavir Narwal, who succumbed to the coronavirus last month.

Meanwhile, Tanha walked out of a separate jail gate. The Jamia Millia Islamia student was wearing a mask, which read 'No CAA, No NRC, No NPR'.

Walking out of Tihar Jail, Tanha said he had kept hope that he would be released one day and asserted that the fight against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), National Register of Citizens (NRC) and National Population Register (NPR) would continue.

Meanwhile, several other student activists including Umar Khalid continue to remain in jail as students carried banners demanding the release of other political prisons.

"We have received tremendous support inside jail and we will continue our struggle," Natasha said while speaking to reporters gathered outside Tihar jail. 

Welcoming the Delhi High Court order granting them bail, Natasha, an activist of women collective Pinjra Tod, said that when they were arrested, it took them many months to believe that they were in jail under such stringent charges.

While stating that the matter is still sub-judice, Devangana said, "... we would like to thank the Delhi High Court for upholding what we believe in. Any such protest that we have done is not terrorism. It was a democratic protest, led by women."