‘A Lonely Existence, With My Books:’ Sharjeel Imam Writes Back from Prison | The Quint

In this exclusive interview carried out in writing from across the bars that ensnare him at the Tihar Central Jail, Sharjeel Imam reflects on all the years he has spent in judicial custody. He writes about lost time, ageing mother, forgotten dreams, and his lonely life in prison. In the company of two cats, and all the books that he is reading, Sharjeel reminisces about the academic pursuits that remain abandoned as consequence of his incarceration, the town he grew up in and the brother he grew up with. In January 2025, he completed five years behind bars as a UAPA accused in the Delhi Riots (larger conspiracy) case. In response to Mekhala Saran’s questions, he writes: “This struggle, this incarceration, this is not a personal struggle - I am just one representative of a larger phenomena spanning decades”. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices