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Congress Calls Umar Khalid Nationalist Amid NLSIU Documentary Dispute
A university in Bengaluru planned to show a documentary about activist Umar Khalid.
The event was postponed because the university said it needed to address safety and logistical concerns.
The ABVP, a student organization, wanted the screening cancelled permanently.
It also asked central government ministers to investigate the university’s decision.
Karnataka Congress leader B. K. Hariprasad defended Khalid and called him a nationalist.
He criticized the ABVP and referred to its views about Nathuram Godse.
The Congress and the ABVP have different views about whether the screening should happen.
The disagreement has added to political tensions on campuses in Karnataka.
Karnataka Congress chief B. K. Hariprasad called jailed activist Umar Khalid a “nationalist.”
Hariprasad said the ABVP had no moral authority to criticize Khalid and accused it of admiring Nathuram Godse.
The ABVP asked central ministers to intervene and demanded permanent cancellation of the documentary screening at NLSIU.
NLSIU postponed the screening scheduled for 14 September, citing logistical and security concerns.
The dispute has intensified tensions between Congress, the ABVP and activist groups in Bengaluru.
- Who
- Karnataka Congress chief B. K. Hariprasad, the ABVP, NLSIU and activist groups are central to the dispute.
- What
- The dispute concerns NLSIU’s postponed screening of a documentary about Umar Khalid and competing demands over whether it should be held.
- Where
- The dispute is centered on the National Law School of India University in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
- When
- The screening was scheduled for 14 September; NLSIU announced its postponement on Sunday, the ABVP sent its letters on Monday, and Hariprasad made his comments on Tuesday.
- Why
- NLSIU cited logistical and security concerns, while the ABVP said the institution should not be used for political propaganda and demanded cancellation.
Congress and NLSIU
ABVP
Whether the screening should proceed
Congress and NLSIU
NLSIU said it was postponing the event as a precaution and was working to hold it safely, while Hariprasad defended Khalid.
ABVP
The ABVP demanded immediate and permanent cancellation of the screening.
Role of the university
Congress and NLSIU
NLSIU said it was not backing out because of pressure and wanted to conduct the event responsibly with adequate security.
ABVP
The ABVP argued that educational institutions should not become platforms for political propaganda.
Views of Umar Khalid’s critics
Congress and NLSIU
Hariprasad called Khalid a nationalist and said the ABVP had no moral authority to criticize him.
ABVP
The ABVP opposed the event and sought central intervention, while the article reports that Hariprasad accused it of admiring Nathuram Godse.
Key facts
- Scheduled screening
- 7 p.m. on 14 September at NLSIU
- NLSIU’s explanation
- The event was postponed because of logistical and security concerns.
- ABVP demand
- Permanent cancellation of the documentary screening and a high-level inquiry into the NLSIU administration.
- Congress position
- B. K. Hariprasad described Umar Khalid as a nationalist and criticized the ABVP.
- Umar Khalid’s status
- He has been jailed since 13 September 2020 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act over his alleged role in the 2020 Delhi violence.
- 2020 Delhi violence
- The violence left 53 people dead and more than 700 injured, according to the article.
Quotes
B. K. Hariprasad
President of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee
“Umar Khalid is a nationalist, and ABVP (Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarathi Parishad) has no right to speak on Umar Khalid because ABVP adores Nathuram Godse—who was an anti-national and the first terrorist of the country. They have no moral right or moral ethics to speak on Umar Khalid,”
theprint.in
National Law School of India University
The Bengaluru law university that postponed the documentary screening
“We are making it clear that we are not backing out of the event because of pressure from anyone. The postponement is a precautionary step taken to ensure that the screening can be held in a safe and responsible manner,”
theprint.in
Sources
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