Mumbai, MAHARASHTRA :

A packed hall at Islam Gymkhana witnessed a festive Eid Milan that brought together over a hundred lawyers, scholars, activists, and students, culminating in the conferment of the Champions of Human Rights Award 2026 on three prominent legal practitioners.

Held on March28, by the innocence network, the event blended celebration with reflection, as attendees marked the festive occasion while foregrounding ongoing struggles within the justice system. The highlight of the programme was the recognition of three advocates for their sustained contributions to civil liberties and defense law.

Among the awardees was Advocate Surendra Gadling, currently incarcerated in connection with the Bhima Koregaon case. In his absence, the award was received by his son, Sumit Gadling.

Also honoured was Advocate Ibrahim Harbat for his legal representation of Ayan Sheikh, a 20-year-old student recently arrested by Mumbai’s ATS, and his work despite threats by the ATS The third awardee, Advocate M M Sayyad, was recognised for his work defending several accused in cases linked to the Students Islamic Movement of India.

The gathering featured addresses by noted speakers, including Trade Unionist an Human Rights Lawyer Sudha Bharadwaj, herself an accused in the Bhima Koregaon case, who underscored the importance of legal aid and the intellectual rigour required in rights-based litigation. She reflected on the continued relevance of collective legal efforts in safeguarding civil liberties.

Senior advocate Gayatri Singh spoke candidly about the layered challenges of navigating the profession as a Muslim and a woman , while emphasising resilience and the need to persist despite systemic barriers.

The evening concluded with the formal presentation of awards and a shared resolve among attendees to continue engaging in human rights work.

The programme closed with a community dinner, marking both solidarity and celebration at the conclusion of the Eid Milan gathering.

source: http://www.muslimmirror.com / Muslim Mirror / Home> Human Rights / March 31st, 2026