Aurangabad: Advocate Abdul Wahid Shaikh, noted lawyer and prison rights activist, has been awarded a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree by MGM University. The degree was conferred by Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Vilas Sakpal at the university’s convocation ceremony attended by faculty, scholars, and well-wishers.
Dr. Shaikh is the first person acquitted in the 2006 Mumbai train blast case. Since his acquittal, he has emerged as a strong voice for justice, dedicating his career to defending the rights of prisoners and campaigning against wrongful convictions. He currently serves as the General Secretary of the Innocence Network, where he advocates for humane prison reforms and the release of the innocent from incarceration.
His doctoral thesis, titled Prison Literature: Post-Independence, studies writings that have emerged from Indian prisons. The research documents the experiences of incarcerated individuals and explores their contribution to Urdu literature. It highlights how prison writings express resilience, resistance, and struggles against injustice.
Speaking at the convocation, Dr. Shaikh described the degree as both a personal and collective milestone. “Prison literature is the voice of the silenced, the testimony of those behind bars, and a mirror to our society’s conscience,” he said.
Dr. Shaikh’s academic achievement strengthens his commitment to prison justice and adds scholarly depth to his legal activism. His work demonstrates how personal suffering can be transformed into intellectual strength and a pursuit of justice.
