India, July 1 -- Student activist Umar Khalid has spoken publicly for the first time since his arrest in 2020, describing the emotional and psychological impact of spending nearly six years in Delhi's Tihar Jail without his trial beginning.

In an interview with The Guardian, Khalid said prolonged incarceration had affected both his mental well-being and sense of identity, while reiterating his criticism of the current political climate in India.

His remarks come as a Delhi court prepares to hear arguments on his fresh bail application in the larger conspiracy case linked to the 2020 Delhi riots.

Speaking to The Guardian through family members and friends because of restrictions on direct access, Khalid said years in prison had led to a...