A packed gathering at Islam Gymkhana in Mumbai marked a unique Eid Milan event on March 28, where celebration blended with serious conversations on justice, civil liberties, and legal challenges in India.
Organised by the Innocence Network, the event brought together over a hundred lawyers, activists, scholars, and students. The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the “Champions of Human Rights Award 2026” to three lawyers for their contributions to defending civil liberties.
Lawyers honoured for rights-based work
Among those honoured was Surendra Gadling, who is currently in jail in connection with the Bhima Koregaon case. As he remains incarcerated, the award was received by his son, Sumit Gadling, on his behalf.
Advocate Ibrahim Harbat was also recognised for his legal defence of Ayan Sheikh, a 20-year-old student recently arrested by Mumbai’s Anti-Terrorism Squad. Harbat’s work, carried out despite alleged threats, was acknowledged by organisers and attendees.
The third awardee, M M Sayyad, was honoured for representing several accused in cases linked to the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI).
Speakers highlight challenges in justice system
The programme featured speeches by prominent voices in the legal and human rights community. Trade unionist and lawyer Sudha Bharadwaj emphasised the importance of legal aid and intellectual commitment in defending civil liberties.
She spoke about the continued relevance of collective legal efforts, especially in cases involving marginalised communities. “Sustained legal work is essential to protect rights and uphold justice,” she noted.
Senior advocate Gayatri Singh addressed the audience on the challenges within the legal profession, particularly for women and minorities. She highlighted the need for resilience and perseverance in the face of systemic barriers.
