ABVP demands cancellation of Umar Khalid documentary screening at NLSIU

The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has demanded that the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) in Bengaluru cancel a scheduled screening of the documentary ‘Prisoner No. 626710 is Present’. The film, directed by Lalit Vachani, focuses on activist Umar Khalid, who has been imprisoned without trial under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) since 2020 in connection with the Delhi riots.

ABVP Bengaluru submitted a formal complaint to the university administration, alleging that the screening serves as a platform for ‘political propaganda’ and attempts to glorify civil unrest. The organization cited Khalid’s previous associations with controversies, including the 2016 JNU protests and the CAA-NRC demonstrations, arguing that academic institutions should prioritize national integrity and learning over such events.

The screening, organized by the university’s Law & Society Committee, was set for September 14 to mark the anniversary of Khalid’s arrest and Political Prisoners’ Day. In addition to the ABVP, advocate Girish Bharadwaj also petitioned the university Vice-Chancellor to cancel the event, suggesting that any academic discussion regarding civil liberties should be conducted through a more balanced program including diverse legal and security perspectives.