Archive · 15 Sep 2026
Congress Calls Umar Khalid Nationalist Amid NLSIU Screening Row
A university in Bengaluru planned to show a documentary about activist Umar Khalid.
The university later postponed the screening because of safety and organizational concerns.
It said the event might still happen with enough security.
The ABVP, a student organization, wants the screening cancelled completely.
Karnataka Congress leader B. K. Hariprasad defended Khalid and called him a nationalist.
He also criticized the ABVP and mentioned Nathuram Godse.
The BJP criticized Hariprasad and said Congress was wrong to support Khalid.
The disagreement has increased political tensions around student groups and universities in Karnataka.
Karnataka Congress chief B. K. Hariprasad called imprisoned activist Umar Khalid a “nationalist” and attacked the ABVP.
The ABVP opposed NLSIU’s planned screening of the documentary “Prisoner No. 626710 is Present” and sought its permanent cancellation.
NLSIU postponed the September 14 screening, citing logistical and security concerns, while saying it still intended to hold the event safely.
The ABVP asked Union ministers Amit Shah, Pralhad Joshi and Arjun Ram Meghwal to intervene and order an inquiry into NLSIU.
BJP leader Sambit Patra condemned Hariprasad’s remarks and accused Congress of political appeasement, citing its past interactions with Yasin Malik.
- Who
- Karnataka Congress chief B. K. Hariprasad, the ABVP, NLSIU, the BJP and activist groups are involved.
- What
- The dispute concerns NLSIU’s postponed screening of a documentary about Umar Khalid and competing demands over whether it should proceed.
- When
- The screening was scheduled for September 14; NLSIU announced the postponement on Sunday, the ABVP sent its letters on Monday, and Hariprasad and BJP leaders commented on Tuesday.
- Where
- The dispute is centered at the National Law School of India University in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
- Why
- NLSIU cited logistical and security concerns, while the ABVP objected to the event as political propaganda and demanded permanent cancellation.
Congress and NLSIU
ABVP and BJP
Whether the screening should proceed
Congress and NLSIU
Hariprasad defended Umar Khalid, while NLSIU said postponement was precautionary and that it was working to hold the screening safely.
ABVP and BJP
The ABVP demanded the documentary be cancelled permanently rather than merely postponed, and the BJP criticized Congress’s support for Khalid.
Purpose of the university event
Congress and NLSIU
NLSIU said it was not abandoning the event because of pressure and wanted to conduct it responsibly with adequate security.
ABVP and BJP
The ABVP said educational institutions should not be used as platforms for political propaganda.
Political and moral claims
Congress and NLSIU
Hariprasad called Khalid a nationalist and accused the ABVP of admiring Nathuram Godse.
ABVP and BJP
The BJP called Hariprasad’s comments condemnable and argued that Congress was showing sympathy toward Khalid and had reduced itself to appeasement.
- Documentary
- “Prisoner No. 626710 is Present,” directed by filmmaker Lalit Vachani.
- Scheduled screening
- 7 p.m. on September 14 at the National Law School of India University.
- NLSIU explanation
- The screening was postponed because of logistical and security concerns.
- ABVP demand
- Permanent cancellation of the event, central intervention and a high-level inquiry into the NLSIU administration.
- Umar Khalid’s legal status
- He has been imprisoned since September 13, 2020, without trial, under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in connection with the 2020 Delhi violence.
- Hariprasad’s statement
- He called Umar Khalid a nationalist and said the ABVP lacked the moral authority to criticize him.
- BJP response
- BJP MP Sambit Patra called Hariprasad’s remarks deeply condemnable and accused Congress of appeasement.
