Senior Karnataka Congress leader B K Hariprasad has triggered a massive political controversy by calling jailed former JNU student leader Umar Khalid a "nationalist." The remarks came after the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) demanded the cancellation of a documentary screening on Khalid at Bengaluru's National Law School of India University (NLSIU).
- Senior Congress leader B K Hariprasad sparked a major controversy by calling jailed activist Umar Khalid a "nationalist."
- The dispute erupted over the scheduled screening of a documentary on Khalid at NLSIU Bengaluru, which has now been postponed.
- The right-wing student group ABVP strongly opposed the screening, accusing the university and Congress of glorifying divisive figures.
Senior Karnataka Congress leader and MLC B K Hariprasad has triggered a massive political firestorm by terming jailed former JNU student activist Umar Khalid as a "nationalist." His comments were made in the backdrop of a heated controversy surrounding the scheduled screening of a documentary about Khalid at Bengaluru's prestigious National Law School of India University (NLSIU).
The right-wing student organization, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), had vehemently protested against the event, demanding the immediate cancellation of the screening and a formal inquiry into the university administration. While NLSIU ultimately postponed the event citing security and logistical constraints, Hariprasad’s remarks escalated the issue into a full-blown ideological battle between the Congress and the BJP-led opposition.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that the clash over campus screenings highlights a deeper, ongoing ideological polarization within India's premier educational institutions. Campuses have increasingly become the primary battlegrounds where political parties test their narratives on nationalism, national security, and civil liberties. This incident reflects how localized university disputes are quickly co-opted into national political debates.
The clash over campus screenings highlights the deep ideological divide in India, where the definition of nationalism itself has become a major political battleground.
ABVP and BJP Launch Strong Counter-Attack
The ABVP and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) reacted sharply to Hariprasad's statement. ABVP Bengaluru City Secretary Abhinandan Mirji publicly questioned the Congress party’s definition of patriotism, asking whether they also endorsed individuals who commemorated convicted terrorists like Afzal Guru. Mirji accused the Congress of compromising national security for cheap political rhetoric and vote-bank politics.
Meanwhile, the opposition BJP shared video clips of Khalid on social media, accusing the ruling Congress in Karnataka of glorifying anti-India elements. The ABVP had previously written to Union Ministers including Amit Shah, Pralhad Joshi, and Arjun Ram Meghwal, seeking federal intervention to halt the event at the premier law university.
Background of the Umar Khalid Documentary
The documentary at the center of the storm is titled 'Prisoner No. 626710 Is Present', directed by Lalit Vachani. Released in 2024, the film explores the arrest and prolonged pre-trial incarceration of Umar Khalid. Khalid was arrested by the Delhi Police on September 13, 2020, under the stringent Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) for his alleged role in the conspiracy behind the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots.
| Congress / B K Hariprasad's Stance | ABVP / BJP's Stance |
|---|---|
| Umar Khalid is a nationalist fighting for democratic rights. | Khalid is accused under UAPA for inciting the 2020 Delhi riots. |
| Accused ABVP of supporting Nathuram Godse, calling him the first terrorist. | Accused Congress of supporting those who glorified terrorist Afzal Guru. |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why was the documentary screening at NLSIU postponed?
The screening was postponed following a police request, as the local police force was heavily deployed for Ganesha festival duties and could not provide adequate security to manage potential law and order issues at the campus.
2. Under what charges is Umar Khalid currently detained?
Umar Khalid has been in custody since September 2020 under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) for his alleged involvement in the conspiracy behind the Northeast Delhi riots.
