“Who Declared Umar Khalid Anti National?”: Priyank Kharge Questions ABVP Demand Over NLSIU Documentary
Karnataka Home Minister questions basis for the label as political controversy grows over postponed screening in Bengaluru
Bengaluru: Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge has questioned the basis for describing jailed activist Umar Khalid as “anti national” amid a controversy over a proposed documentary screening at the National Law School of India University in Bengaluru.
Kharge questioned whether any court had declared Khalid anti national and also referred to the fact that the case against him remains pending. He criticised the demand for permanently cancelling the proposed screening and said such intimidation should not be tolerated.
The remarks came amid opposition from the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, which has sought the permanent cancellation of the screening of Lalit Vachani’s documentary “Prisoner No. 626710 is Present” at NLSIU.
The documentary was scheduled to be screened by the university’s Law and Society Committee on September 14. The organisers later postponed the event, citing logistical and security considerations. The committee said the programme would be held later during the trimester and stated that the postponement was not due to pressure from any group.
The ABVP has continued to demand cancellation of the proposed screening. It has also approached Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi and Union Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal, seeking Central intervention and an inquiry into the granting of permission for the event.
The organisation has argued that the documentary could present Khalid in a favourable manner and has raised objections based on controversies and allegations associated with him. These claims are part of the ongoing political dispute over the proposed screening.
Karnataka Congress president B.K. Hariprasad also defended Khalid during the controversy, referring to him as a “nationalist” and criticising the ABVP’s opposition to the documentary. His remarks triggered a response from the BJP and ABVP, which questioned the Congress leader’s position on Khalid.
Umar Khalid was arrested in 2020 in connection with the investigation into the Northeast Delhi violence. The Delhi Police has alleged that he was part of a larger conspiracy behind the violence, while Khalid and his supporters have denied the allegations. The case is being tried under provisions including the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.
The controversy over the NLSIU screening has since developed into a wider political debate involving academic freedom, freedom of expression, national security and the treatment of individuals facing serious criminal allegations.
The proposed documentary has not been screened at NLSIU so far. The organisers have said the event is expected to be held at a later date.