The Congress has defended former Jawaharlal Nehru University student leader Umar Khalid amid opposition to the proposed screening of a documentary on his life and imprisonment.
Karnataka Congress president B K Hariprasad on Tuesday, September 15, called Khalid a “nationalist” and criticised the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) for demanding that the screening be cancelled permanently.
The documentary, Prisoner No. 626710, was scheduled to be screened at the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) in Bengaluru. However, organisers postponed the event, citing security and administrative reasons after protests by the ABVP and Bajrang Dal.
Congress Leader Criticises ABVP
Reacting to the ABVP’s opposition, Hariprasad said Khalid’s critics had no moral authority to question his patriotism.
“Umar Khalid is a nationalist. ABVP has no right to speak about him because they adore Nathuram Godse, who was an anti-national and the first terrorist of the country. They have no moral right to speak about Umar Khalid,” Hariprasad said.
His remarks came after ABVP Bengaluru sought the permanent cancellation of the documentary screening and asked Union ministers Amit Shah, Dharmendra Pradhan and Arjun Ram Meghwal to intervene.
The student organisation cited Khalid’s alleged involvement in the 2016 JNU controversy, events commemorating Afzal Guru, anti-CAA and NRC protests, and the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots.
ABVP also called for a high level inquiry into NLSIU’s decision, alleging that postponing the screening was an attempt to reduce public opposition.
Documentary Explores Khalid’s Absence
Prisoner No. 626710 traces Khalid’s journey through people, places and institutions associated with him. The film also explores his absence from public life after his arrest.
Filmmaker Lalit Vachani spent 16 months making the documentary. Although he never met Khalid, Vachani said he developed a strong connection with his story.
Khalid, a history student and former member of JNU’s Democratic Students’ Union, was arrested by Delhi Police on September 13, 2020. He was accused of being part of a larger conspiracy linked to the Northeast Delhi riots.
He denies the allegations. The case includes charges under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, or UAPA.
Calls for Khalid’s Release
Several civil society members and lawyers have also spoken in support of Khalid.
Sunita Viswanath, co-founder of Hindus for Human Rights, called for his release on the sixth anniversary of his incarceration.
Advocate Vrinda Grover recently said Khalid had spent six years in jail as an undertrial without facing a trial. Speaking at an online event, Grover alleged that Khalid was imprisoned for his political ideas and his active participation in public life.
