Bengaluru, Sep 17 (IANS) Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President B.K. Hariprasad on Thursday defended his earlier remark describing jailed activist Umar Khalid as a “nationalist”, saying that whether a person is anti-national must be decided by a court and not by political parties.

Speaking to media in Bengaluru, Hariprasad said the issue concerned the constitutional and democratic framework of the country and questioned the basis on which political opponents were branding Khalid as anti-national.

“Those who oppose the national tricolour, oppose the Constitution and refuse to sing the national anthem are anti-national. Umar Khalid has not spoken against the Constitution or the country,” Hariprasad said.

He alleged that Khalid had been in prison for six years without a trial and maintained that the activist had respect for the judiciary.

“Umar Khalid does not need a certificate from the BJP. J.P. Nadda, junior Yediyurappa (State BJP President B.Y. Vijayendra) or anybody else in the BJP are not judges. The BJP office is not a court. If Umar Khalid is anti-national or a betrayer, it has to be decided by the court,” he said.

He also alleged that the progress of the case had stalled and claimed that authorities had failed to file an FIR or chargesheet against Khalid.

Hariprasad said the Congress condemned what he described as the prolonged and unethical detention of an Indian citizen and reiterated that Khalid did not require a political certificate to establish his nationality.

His remarks came amid a political controversy triggered by his earlier comments on Khalid, made in the context of a dispute over a proposed documentary screening at the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) in Bengaluru.

Reacting to Hariprasad’s statement, BJP MLA and former Deputy Chief Minister C.N. Ashwathnarayan accused him of repeatedly making controversial remarks and alleged that he was supporting forces described by the BJP as anti-national.

Former Karnataka Chief Minister and BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai also called for legal action against Hariprasad over his remarks.

It may be noted that court records in the Northeast Delhi riots conspiracy case show that an FIR was registered in March 2020, a main chargesheet was filed in September 2020, and subsequent supplementary chargesheets were filed, including in 2023.

Khalid has been in custody since September 2020 in connection with the alleged conspiracy relating to the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots. The prosecution has accused him of involvement in a larger conspiracy, allegations that remain subject to judicial proceedings.

The controversy has intensified the political exchange between the Congress and BJP in Karnataka over Umar Khalid’s case and the interpretation of nationalism, constitutional rights and judicial process.

–IANS

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