Karnataka Congress chief calls Umar Khalid ‘nationalist’ amid NLSIU documentary row

The remarks came amid a growing dispute over the planned screening of Prisoner No. 626710 is Present, a documentary directed by Lalit Vachani and centred on Khalid.

The screening, originally scheduled for Monday, has been postponed by the university.

Hariprasad defends Umar Khalid

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Hariprasad hit out at the ABVP's opposition to the event and questioned the organisation's criticism of Khalid.

“Umar Khalid is a nationalist. ABVP has no right to speak on him as they adore Nathuram Godse, who was an anti-national and the first terrorist of the country. They have no moral right,” Hariprasad said.

His comments have come against the backdrop of a wider political and campus debate over the proposed documentary screening and the issues it seeks to address.

NLSIU postpones documentary screening

NLSIU said it postponed the screening because of “logistical and security considerations”.

The university stressed that the decision did not follow pressure from any individual or organisation.

“The postponement is a precautionary step taken to ensure that the screening can be held in a safe and responsible manner,” NLSIU said.

The university also said the screening would take place during the current trimester, although it did not announce a fresh date.

According to NLSIU, the programme forms part of a broader academic discussion on pre-trial detention, bail, dissent, political incarceration and the relationship between criminal law and democratic freedoms.

The documentary, Prisoner No. 626710 is Present, focuses on Khalid, who has remained in custody since his arrest in September 2020.

Umar Khalid faces UAPA charges

Khalid has been lodged in Tihar Jail since September 2020 after the Delhi Police arrested him in connection with the larger conspiracy case related to the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots.

He faces charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and other provisions of law.

Khalid, however, has denied the allegations against him.

The case and his prolonged detention have become subjects of debate over pre-trial incarceration, bail and the limits of dissent, including within academic and legal circles.

ABVP seeks Centre’s intervention

The ABVP has taken a sharply different position on the proposed screening and has called for its permanent cancellation.

The Bengaluru unit of the student organisation has also sought a high-level inquiry into the NLSIU administration's decision to permit the event.

In a statement issued on Monday, ABVP said it had approached Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi and Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal, seeking their intervention.

The organisation alleged that postponing the screening amounted to a “stalling tactic” intended to allow public opposition to the event to subside.

Debate over campus screening

The ABVP argued that institutions of national importance should not become venues for what it described as political propaganda centred on Khalid.

It has urged the Centre to direct NLSIU to withdraw permanently any permission allowing the documentary to be filmed, screened or promoted on the university campus.

The student body has also called for an inquiry into the university administration and the organising committee over the permission granted for the event.

At the same time, the ABVP said academic freedom and open discussion were constitutional rights.

However, it maintained that freedom of expression could not take precedence over considerations involving national security, sovereignty and institutional integrity.