Archive · 15 Sep 2026
Karnataka Congress Chief Calls Umar Khalid Nationalist; BJP, ABVP Respond
Karnataka Congress leader B K Hariprasad called Umar Khalid a nationalist.
Khalid is in jail after being arrested in September 2020 under India’s UAPA law.
The case involves allegations connected to the 2020 Delhi riots.
The disagreement began after ABVP opposed a documentary about Khalid at a university in Bengaluru.
Hariprasad said ABVP should not criticize Khalid and accused it of admiring Nathuram Godse.
ABVP rejected his comments and referred to alleged events connected to Afzal Guru.
It also questioned whether Congress supports slogans about breaking India apart.
BJP leader B Y Vijayendra separately condemned Hariprasad and sought an apology.
Hariprasad also questioned the BJP’s implementation plans for a Uniform Civil Code.
Karnataka Congress chief B K Hariprasad called jailed activist Umar Khalid a nationalist.
Hariprasad criticized ABVP for opposing a documentary screening about Khalid at NLSIU in Bengaluru.
Khalid was arrested in September 2020 and booked under the UAPA over alleged involvement in the February 2020 Delhi riots.
ABVP cited Khalid’s alleged support for events honoring Afzal Guru and questioned Congress’s position on anti-India slogans.
BJP state president B Y Vijayendra condemned Hariprasad’s remarks and demanded a public apology.
- Who
- Karnataka Congress chief B K Hariprasad, Umar Khalid, ABVP, and BJP state president B Y Vijayendra.
- What
- Hariprasad called Khalid a nationalist, prompting criticism from ABVP and the BJP.
- When
- Hariprasad made the remarks on Tuesday; Khalid was arrested in September 2020.
- Where
- The documentary dispute involved the National Law School of India University campus in Bengaluru; the cited riots occurred in Delhi.
- Why
- The dispute followed ABVP’s opposition to a documentary screening and centered on competing claims about Khalid’s nationalism, alleged activities, and national security.
Congress leader’s position
ABVP and BJP’s position
Khalid’s characterization
Congress leader’s position
Hariprasad called Umar Khalid a nationalist and said ABVP had no moral right to speak about him.
ABVP and BJP’s position
ABVP and BJP rejected the characterization, citing allegations involving Khalid, Afzal Guru-related events, and anti-India slogans.
National security claims
Congress leader’s position
Hariprasad criticized ABVP’s views and accused it of admiring Nathuram Godse.
ABVP and BJP’s position
ABVP said describing Khalid as a patriot showed Congress had compromised on national security; BJP said Congress was redefining patriotism.
Uniform Civil Code
Congress leader’s position
Hariprasad questioned the point of the UCC and said regional and religious differences made uniformity difficult to impose.
ABVP and BJP’s position
The reports present no detailed response from ABVP or BJP to this specific argument.
- Khalid’s arrest
- He was arrested in September 2020 and booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
- Delhi riots
- The February 2020 riots reportedly killed 53 people and injured more than 700 in Delhi.
- Hariprasad’s statement
- He called Umar Khalid a nationalist and said ABVP lacked the moral standing to criticize him.
- Documentary venue
- The proposed screening was at the National Law School of India University in Bengaluru.
- ABVP’s response
- ABVP cited alleged events honoring Afzal Guru and questioned whether Congress supports anti-India slogans.
- BJP response
- B Y Vijayendra called the remarks an insult to patriotic Indians and demanded Hariprasad apologize.
- Uniform Civil Code
- Hariprasad questioned whether the BJP had implemented the UCC in Goa or the Northeast.
