ABVP tells Union Ministers not to allow Umar Khalid documentary to be screened at NLSIU-Bengaluru

National Law School of India University (NLSIU) in Bengaluru. The LawSoc Committee suggested screening Lalit Vachani’s documentary Mr. Khalid Prisoner No. 626710 at NLSIU as part of Political Prisoners’ Day on September 14, 2026. | Photo credit: K Murali Kumar

The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarti Parishad (ABVP) Bengaluru, which is escalating its stand on the proposed screening of a documentary on jailed activist Umar Khalid, organized by the Law and Society Committee (LawSoc) at the National Law School of India (NLSIU), has written to Union ministers to cancel the screening permanently. The screening, scheduled for September 14, was postponed following opposition from the ABVP.

The ABVP said it has submitted representations to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Education Minister Pralhad Joshi and Minister of State (Independent Representative) for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal. The letter specifically calls for central intervention to push for the “complete, permanent cancellation” of the event and order a high-level inquiry against the NLSIU administration.

The LawSoc Committee suggested screening Lalit Vachani’s documentary Mr. Khalid Prisoner #626710 at NLSIU as part of Political Prisoners’ Day on September 14. The ABVP and other right-wing activists wrote to the vice-chancellor and registrar of the university to call off the event or face “serious consequences”.

Later, the screening was postponed by the students due to security and logistical issues.

ABVP’s key demand to the Union Ministers is to issue clear instructions to the NLSIU management to withdraw all permissions permanently and ensure that the documentary is not filmed, screened or promoted on campus under any pretext.

“Initiate a comprehensive investigation into the administration and organizing committee of the NLSIU on how permission was granted for an event celebrating an individual accused of anti-national activities and civil disturbance while ignoring formal complaints filed by student organizations,” they said in the letter.

They urged the enforcement of strict guidelines in central and national universities “to prevent publicly funded institutional infrastructure from being armed with anti-national narratives under the guise of academic freedom”.

However, university students told The Hindu that the screening of this documentary was nothing new. The student said the screening took place in 2025 during Political Prisoners’ Day.

This year too, a screening was organized, followed by discussions on remand, civil liberties and other topics related to Mr. Khalid’s case, the student said.

The reading took place

Although the documentary was not screened, students held a reading on the evening of September 14.

The students said, “The screening can be stopped but the reading cannot be stopped. On the occasion of Political Prisoners’ Day, a reading of Mr. Khalid’s recent letter to his family, friends and others was read. A session was also held to read the Preamble of the Constitution of India.”

The Hindu asked the Vice-Chancellor for his response to this question. This copy will be updated when he responds.

Published – 15 Sep 2026 12:16 IST