Karnataka Congress Leader Calls Umar Khalid a 'Nationalist' Amid ABVP Screening Row at NLSIU
· India · Indian Express, Zee News
Karnataka Congress president B K Hariprasad labelled Umar Khalid a ‘nationalist’ while defending a documentary screening at Bengaluru’s National Law School of India University (NLSIU), despite the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) demanding its cancellation. The ABVP, an RSS-affiliated students’ wing, accused the Congress of glorifying Khalid, who remains in custody since 2020 for his alleged role in the Northeast Delhi riots. ABVP Bengaluru city secretary Abhinandan Mirji countered by questioning the Congress’ stance on Khalid’s alleged support for convicted terrorist Afzal Guru, while the Opposition BJP shared a video clip of Khalid to accuse the Congress of endorsing anti-India rhetoric. The documentary, which focuses on Khalid’s pre-trial incarceration, was initially postponed by NLSIU amid the controversy.
Why it matters
The clash highlights the polarising debate over Khalid’s legacy and the role of academic institutions in hosting contentious discussions, with political parties using the controversy to score political points. Students, academics, and civil society groups in Karnataka are directly affected as the debate intensifies over free speech, nationalism, and the portrayal of political figures in public discourse.
Read the original report — Indian Express
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