Afroz Alam Sahil

{{Infobox person

| name = Afroz Alam Sahil

| image = Afroz_Alam_Sahil_in_2020.jpg

| caption = Afroz Alam Sahil in New Delhi

| birth_date = {{Birth year and age|1987}}

| birth_place = Bettiah, West Champaran district, Bihar

| birth_name = Afroz Alam

| nationality = {{flagicon|india}} Indian

| education = Jamia Millia Islamia

| alma mater = A.J.K. Mass Communication Research Centre, Jamia Millia Islamia
New Delhi

| occupation = Journalist, writer

| website = {{url|https://www.afrozsahil.in/}}

}}

Afroz Alam Sahil (born 1987) is an Indian writer and RTI journalist. He is the founder and editor of Beyond Headlines (BH), an independent online news portal focused on marginalized communities, minorities, and social issues. Sahil is known for his investigative journalism and activism, particularly using RTI to uncover information on government policies, corruption, and social injustices.

Early life and education

Afroz Alam Sahil was born in Bettiah, West Champaran, Bihar, in 1987. He moved to Delhi in 2005 to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Mass Media at Jamia Millia Islamia. Later, he joined the university's Mass Communication Research Centre (MCRC) for further studies in journalism and documentary filmmaking.{{Cite web |last=Polanki |first=Pallavi |date=2010-04-08 |title=The Unstoppable RTI Maverick |url=https://openthemagazine.com/features/india/the-unstoppable-rti-maverick/ |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=Open The Magazine |language=en}}

After the 2008 Mumbai attacks, Sahil, who was then a student at Jamia Millia Islamia, highlighted the housing discrimination faced by Muslim students in Delhi. He stated that many Muslim students from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar were denied housing and struggled to find accommodation, with some even dropping out due to these difficulties. In a 2009 interview with The Washington Post, he recalled his personal experience, saying,

"Why was I born a Muslim?" when he saw increasing suspicion against his community.{{Cite news |last=Wax |first=Emily |date=2009-04-19 |title=India's Muslims See Bias in Housing |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/national/2009/04/19/indias-muslims-see-bias-in-housing/8d721d82-626d-408a-86d3-d8d610f86c4b/ |access-date=2025-03-27 |newspaper=The Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}

Journalistic career

Sahil has reported on issues related to Indian minorities and marginalized communities over the past 15 years and is currently based in Istanbul, Turkey.{{cite web |title=Afroz Alam Sahil - Author Profile |url=https://www.thequint.com/author/1764360/afroz-alam-sahil |access-date=26 March 2025 |website=The Quint |language=en}}

= ''Beyond Headlines'' =

In 2010, Sahil co-founded Beyond Headlines, an independent news platform focusing on issues that mainstream media often overlooks. Based in Batla House, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi, the platform covers topics related to minorities, farmers, workers, and marginalized communities. The organization operates without any permanent employees and relies on voluntary contributions.{{Citation |last=Dahiya |first=Surbhi |title=Beyond Headlines: Being the Change |date=2023-08-21 |work=Digital First: Entrepreneurial Journalism in India |pages=0 |editor-last=Dahiya |editor-first=Surbhi |url=https://academic.oup.com/book/46830/chapter-abstract/413491640?redirectedFrom=fulltext |access-date=2025-03-26 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-887965-7}}

Sahil has stated that he founded Beyond Headlines due to his dissatisfaction with the editorial policies of mainstream media, which he felt were influenced by corporate and political interests. His platform focuses on reporting news from a perspective that highlights marginalized voices.{{cite news|last=Ghosh|first=Paramita|title=Alternative media's changing rules of the game, but is it enough?|newspaper=Hindustan Times|date =25 April 2016|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/alternative-media-changing-rules-of-the-game-but-is-it-enough/story-6eoy1bUszsRG4CCXDKz7IM.html|access-date=26 March 2025}}

= RTI journalism and investigative reporting =

Sahil's RTI journalism has led to various challenges, including threats and legal notices. In an interview, he revealed that he received threatening calls after filing an RTI against a Bihar Member of Parliament regarding the use of public funds. He also stated that students using RTI are sometimes targeted with defamation notices from universities.{{cite news |title=RTI activists face roadblocks galore |newspaper=The Times of India |date=26 June 2012 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/rti-activists-face-roadblocks-galore/articleshow/14412688.cms |access-date=26 March 2025}}

In 2010, Sahil obtained an autopsy report through the Right to Information (RTI) Act regarding the 2008 Batla House encounter case. The report stated that one of the deceased, Ameen, had died due to "shock and haemorrhage as a result of multiple injuries." Sahil raised questions about the official account, as the police claimed Ameen sustained these injuries after falling while trying to flee the Batla House apartment.{{cite news |title=Batla autopsy report out |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/batla-autopsy-report-out/story-2WNB5MDXCAMhAIYu5o5OmN.html |newspaper=Hindustan Times |date=19 March 2010 |access-date=26 March 2025}}

Later, in 2013, Sahil questioned the Delhi Sessions Court's verdict, which convicted Shahzad Ahmad for the murder of Inspector M.C. Sharma during the same encounter. He argued that while the court had delivered its judgment, legal avenues for appeal were still open.{{cite news |title=Batla House encounter case: RTI activist questions court's guilty verdict |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/batla-house-encounter-case-rti-activist-questions-court-s-guilty-verdict-update-batla-house-encounter-case-113072500835_1.html |newspaper=Business Standard |date=25 July 2013 |access-date=26 March 2025}}

In 2014, a French news channel, France 24, featured Sahil in a report highlighting his RTI-based investigative work. The report stated that his RTI requests to India's Ministry of Health led to a significant reduction in the prices of over 315 essential medicines, with costs dropping between 30% and 70%. This allowed ordinary citizens greater access to affordable healthcare. France 24 recognized Sahil as one of the activists using the RTI Act to combat corruption and promote government transparency.{{cite web |title=India's anti-corruption movement and the role of RTI activists |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20140115-india-anti-corruption-party-aap-common-man-kejriwal-hazare-general-elections-new-delhi/ |publisher=France 24 |date=15 January 2014 |access-date=26 March 2025}}

In December 2012, Sahil co-founded Insaan International Foundation, a non-profit organization aimed at educating citizens about the Right to Information (RTI) Act and assisting them in effectively following up on their applications. The initiative was launched to empower individuals to demand transparency in governance and to counter bureaucratic obstacles faced by RTI applicants.{{cite news |author=Siddiqui |first=Furquan Ameen |date=23 March 2013 |title=Nation's young change-makers |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/nation-s-young-change-makers/story-uSjkTpckbEOuHxwWzExK7O.html |access-date=26 March 2025 |newspaper=Hindustan Times |language=en}}

In 2013, he expressed skepticism about the Central Information Commission (CIC) ruling that brought political parties under RTI scrutiny. He pointed out that RTI queries are routinely denied and CIC hearings take years to materialize, making transparency difficult to achieve.{{cite news |title=RTI activists trash party fears: Scanner on funding and not strategy meetings, petitioners say |newspaper=The Telegraph (India) |date=9 June 2013 |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/rti-activists-trash-party-fears-scanner-on-funding-and-not-strategy-meetings-petitioners/cid/289059 |access-date=26 March 2025}}

Sahil has been vocal about the historical significance of the Right to Information (RTI) Act and its role in exposing corruption. He has argued that, contrary to popular belief, RTI was not solely an activist-led movement but was also advocated by the Press Council of India, which pushed for greater transparency in governance. In a 2019 interview, he stated, "Many think that RTI was a movement started by a lot of activists. If you look at history, it was the Press Council of India who demanded a tool for seeking information and more transparency."{{cite web |title=2G to CWG: The RTI amendment will make it harder to unearth corruption |url=https://www.newslaundry.com/2019/07/27/2g-to-cwg-the-rti-amendment-will-make-it-harder-to-unearth-corruption |website=Newslaundry |date=27 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018092016/https://www.newslaundry.com/2019/07/27/2g-to-cwg-the-rti-amendment-will-make-it-harder-to-unearth-corruption |access-date=26 March 2025|archive-date=18 October 2023 }}

Sahil has emphasized the RTI Act's crucial role in enabling journalists to hold the government accountable. In 2019, he reiterated the need for strengthening RTI laws to prevent government opacity.{{cite news |title=RTI fast turning into fight for info: Ex-CIC |newspaper=The Tribune (Chandigarh) |date=26 November 2019 |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/nation/rti-fast-turning-into-fight-for-info-ex-cic-866052 |access-date=26 March 2025}}

Through investigative reports, Afroz Alam Sahil highlighted the neglect of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar's historical artifacts, revealing their deterioration due to bureaucratic delays despite multiple official correspondences over the years.{{Cite web |date=2014-10-03 |title=अंबेडकर की निशानियां नष्ट होने की कगार पर |trans-title=Ambedkar's relics on the verge of destruction |url=https://www.bbc.com/hindi/india/2014/10/141002_ambedkar_museaum_nagpur_pk |access-date=2025-03-27 |website=BBC Hindi |language=hi}}

In 2015, Sahil reported on the growing backlog of RTI appeals and complaints at the Central Information Commission (CIC), highlighting delays that could extend up to several years.{{Cite web |date=2015-05-16 |title=आरटीआई के अंबार पर बैठी है सरकार |trans-title=The government is sitting on a pile of RTI requests. |url=https://www.bbc.com/hindi/india/2015/05/150515_rti_backlog_afroz_rv |access-date=2025-03-27 |website=BBC Hindi |language=hi}}

Among his notable RTI findings, Sahil discovered that the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) spent ₹12 lakh on newspaper and magazine subscriptions in 2009-2010, an expenditure that was revealed through his RTI request.{{cite news |title=Briefly Nation |newspaper=The Indian Express |date=16 June 2010 |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/news-archive/web/briefly-nation-42/?ref=archive_pg |access-date=26 March 2025}}

= Investigations on Waqf Properties =

Sahil has extensively investigated issues concerning Waqf properties, particularly in connection with the Delhi Waqf Board. His efforts through the RTI uncovered significant discrepancies in official waqf records. In 2008, the Delhi Waqf Board listed 1,964 waqf properties in the city, but a federal government statement in 2025 reduced that number to just 1,047.{{cite news |last=Farooquee |first=Neyaz |title=The endless legal battles over Muslim-donated lands in India|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly84vggk4ro |work=BBC News |date=16 April 2025 |access-date=17 April 2025}}

Similarly, the number of cemeteries managed by the board has shown a marked decline. While earlier records claimed over 500 cemeteries, later RTI replies indicated only around 400 remained registered, and board officials ultimately acknowledged that merely 70–80 were effectively under their supervision.{{Cite web |date=2014-09-22 |title=دہلی سے غائب ہوتے قبرستان |trans-title=Disappearing Cemeteries of Delhi |url=https://www.bbc.com/urdu/regional/2014/09/140922_delhi_grave_yard_vanishing_mb |access-date=2025-03-27 |website=BBC Urdu |language=ur}}{{cite news |title=انڈیا میں وقف قوانین میں ترمیم: 'مقصد مسلمانوں سے جائیدادیں چھیننا ہے، بی جے پی کے پاس ہندو، مسلم کے سوا کچھ نہیں'|trans-title=Amendments to Waqf Laws in India: 'The aim is to take away properties from Muslims; BJP has nothing beyond Hindu-Muslim politics.'|last=Farooqui|first=Niyaz|newspaper=BBC Urdu |date=8 August 2024|url=https://www.bbc.com/urdu/articles/c07en333plzo |access-date=27 March 2025|language=ur}}

Sahil noted that despite the 2013 amendments to the Waqf Act intended to close legal loopholes, issues such as bureaucratic mismanagement and encroachments remained widespread. He emphasized that while the number of listed waqf properties increased due to survey efforts, such data was often misrepresented, and enforcement against illegal occupations remained lax.

In April 2025, Sahil published a report based on his research visit to Türkiye, directly challenging claims made by some Indian political leaders that waqf institutions no longer exist in Islamic countries. He documented how Türkiye's waqf system, managed by the Directorate General of Foundations, not only persists but plays a central role in social and economic development. His report detailed various types of waqf, including state-sponsored and minority endowments, and contrasted them with the governance challenges facing India’s waqf framework.{{cite web |last=Sahil |first=Afroz Alam |title=Turkey's Living Waqf Legacy Challenges BJP's 'No Waqf Anywhere' Claim |url=https://thewire.in/religion/turkeys-living-waqf-legacy-challenges-bjps-no-waqf-anywhere-claim |website=The Wire |date=16 April 2025 |access-date=16 April 2025}}

= Investigations on Urdu libraries =

Sahil has also reported on the declining condition of Urdu libraries in India. In 2015, he wrote an investigative piece for BBC Hindi about the deteriorating state of the Anjuman Taraqqi Urdu library in Patna, Bihar. Once a hub for intellectuals and writers, the library had fallen into disrepair, with rare books and manuscripts either lost or damaged. According to his report, the premises had been encroached upon and were being used for non-literary purposes.{{cite news |title=लाइब्रेरी बचाने की तमन्ना, जिनके दिल में है|trans-title=The Desire to Save the Library, in Whose Heart It Resides |newspaper=BBC Hindi |date=12 June 2015 |url=https://www.bbc.com/hindi/india/2015/06/150612_urdu_library_patna_ruin_tk |access-date=26 March 2025}}

= Investigation into political funding =

In 2015, Sahil published an investigative report on BBC Hindi exposing that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had received donations from beef-exporting companies. According to his report, Maharashtra-based Frigorifico Allana Private Limited donated ₹50 lakh to BJP in 2014–15 through cheque. Another meat-exporting company, Indagro Foods Limited, contributed ₹75 lakh in the same financial year. The report also noted a ₹50 lakh donation from Frigerio Conserva Allana Limited. When questioned about these donations, BJP spokespersons stated that they were unaware of the specifics.{{cite news |title=बीजेपी को बीफ़ से परहेज़, 'चंदे' से नहीं|trans-title=BJP avoids beef, but not 'donations'. |last=Sahil |first=Afroz Alam|newspaper=BBC Hindi |date=15 December 2015 |url=https://www.bbc.com/hindi/india/2015/12/151215_beef_export_fund_bjp_tk |access-date=26 March 2025}}

== Literary works ==

Afroz Alam Sahil has authored several books on politics, history, and human rights. His notable works include:

Janne Ka Haq: Suchana Ka Adhikar - Ek Margdarshika (in Hindi) – A guidebook on the Right to Information (RTI) Act in India.{{Cite web |last=Khan |first=AG |date=30 January 2011 |title=A guide to RTI: Suchana Ka Adhikar (Hindi) |url=https://www.milligazette.com/news/13-books/377-a-guide-to-rti-suchana-ka-adhikar-hindi-india/ |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=The Milli Gazette |language=en}}
Pir Muhammad Munis (2015) (in Hindi) – A biography of Pir Muhammad Munis, highlighting his contributions to journalism and the Champaran Satyagraha.{{Cite web |date=2015-04-20 |title=New book on Pir Mohammad Munis launched at his hometown in Bihar |url=https://twocircles.net/2015apr20/1429517107.html |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=TwoCircles.net |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2017-09-14 |title=Here's The Story Of Pir Muhammad Munis, Hindi Journalist & Unsung Hero Of Champaran Satyagraha |url=https://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/on-hindi-diwas-here-s-the-story-of-pir-muhammad-munis-a-hindi-journalist-and-unsung-hero-of-champaran-satyagrah-329625.html |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=Indiatimes |language=en-IN}}
Sheikh Gulab: Neel Andolan ke Ek Nayak (2017) (in Hindi) – A historical account of Sheikh Gulab and his role in the Champaran Indigo Movement.{{Cite web |last=Naik |first=Raqib Hameed |date=2017-07-20 |title=Afroz Alam Sahil's book on Sheikh Gulab, the man behind the Champaran Indigo movement, aims to set the history right |url=https://twocircles.net/2017jul20/413278.html |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=TwoCircles |language=en-US}}
Professor Abdul Bari: Azadi Ki Ladayi Ka Ek Krantikari Yodha (2019) (in Hindi) – A biography of Abdul Bari and his contributions to India's independence movement.{{Cite web |last=Fatima |first=Ambreen |date=2019-04-04 |title=Book Review: Professor Abdul Bari - Azadi Ki Ladai Ka Ek Krantikari Yoddha |url=https://www.heritagetimes.in/book-review-professor-abdul-bari-azadi-ki-ladai-ka-aik-krantikari-yoddha |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=Heritage Times |language=en-US}}
Jamia Aur Gandhi (2019) (in Hindi) – Explores Mahatma Gandhi's association with Jamia Millia Islamia and his contributions to the institution.{{Cite web |last=Alam |first=Mahtab |date=29 October 2019 |title=Gandhi, a Lifelong Friend of Jamia Millia Islamia |url=https://thewire.in/education/gandhi-a-lifelong-friend-of-jamia-millia-islamia |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=The Wire |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Ashrafi |first=Naved |date=2019 |title=Jamia Aur Gandhi (Book Review) |url=https://www.india-seminar.com/2021/739/739_books.htm |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=www.india-seminar.com}}{{Cite web |last=Malik |first=Ayushi |date=2020-10-30 |title=As Jamia turns 100, journalist revisits its beginnings aimed to 'free education from British influence' |url=https://twocircles.net/2020oct30/439637.html |access-date=2025-03-27 |website=TwoCircles.net |language=en-US}}
Lockdown Diaries: Corona Kaal ke 68 Din (2021) (in Hindi) – A collection of his personal observations and analyses during the COVID-19 lockdown in India.{{Cite web |last=Khan |first=Unsa |date=2021-02-02 |title=Afroz Alam Sahil on his new book 'Lockdown Diaries' and people who launched it |url=https://maktoobmedia.com/more/literature/afroz-alam-sahil-on-his-new-book-lockdown-diaries-and-people-who-launched-it/ |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=Maktoob media |language=en-US}}

Media contributions

Sahil has contributed to various media outlets, including BBC Hindi, The Print, The Wire, India Times, Down to Earth, National Herald, Navjivan, and TwoCircles. He has also worked with TV9 Mumbai and UNI TV.{{cite web |title=Contributors |url=https://beyondheadlines.in/contribtuors/ |website=Beyond Headlines|date=28 February 2011 }}

Awards and recognition

Sahil has received over 20 awards and fellowships for his contributions to journalism and RTI activism. In 2011, he was honored with the "TCN Person of the Year 2010" award by TwoCircles.net for his efforts in using RTI to promote transparency and accountability.{{cite news |last=Anwar |first=Tarique |title=TCN awards Afroz Sahil & Bihar Anjuman |newspaper=The Milli Gazette |date=23 January 2011 |url=https://www.milligazette.com/news/1-community-news/348-tcn-awards-afroz-sahil-bihar-anjuman-india-muslim/ |access-date=26 March 2025}}{{Cite web |last=Ali |first=MD |date=2010-12-05 |title=TCN is a realization of my dream about Indian Muslims: K Rahman Khan |url=https://twocircles.net/2010dec05/tcn_realization_my_dream_about_indian_muslims_k_rahman_khan.html |access-date=2025-03-27 |website=TwoCircles.net |language=en-US}} Additionally, he has been recognized as one of the notable alumni of Jamia Millia Islamia (National Islamic University) for his contributions to investigative journalism.{{cite web |title=35 Notable Alumni of National Islamic University |url=https://edurank.org/uni/national-islamic-university/alumni/ |website=EduRank |date=2 March 2025 |access-date=26 March 2025}}