Overview
- Karnataka Pradesh Congress president B. K. Hariprasad said Umar Khalid was a “nationalist” when questioned about a postponed NLSIU film screening, a remark widely reported on Tuesday.
- The ABVP and BJP condemned Hariprasad’s comment and demanded a public apology, with party figures accusing Congress of endorsing someone they call anti-national.
- A complaint was lodged at the Vidhana Soudha police station by activist Tejas Gowda seeking criminal action against Hariprasad over the remark.
- The immediate dispute grew out of ABVP opposition to a planned screening at the National Law School of India University, which organisers postponed after the protests.
- Opposition leaders including Karnataka home minister Priyank Kharge and SP’s S. T. Hasan used the episode to question why Khalid, arrested in September 2020 and charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, remains in custody years later without a completed trial and to press concerns about delayed justice and campus free speech.