Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President B.K. Hariprasad on Thursday, 17 September defended his earlier remark calling jailed activist Umar Khalid a 'nationalist', arguing that whether any individual is anti-national is a matter for the judiciary — not for political parties — to determine. The statement was made during a media interaction in Bengaluru and sharpened the ongoing political dispute between the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Karnataka over Khalid's prolonged detention and the meaning of nationalism itself.

What Hariprasad Said

Hariprasad framed his defence in constitutional terms, drawing a clear line between political labelling and judicial determination. '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,' he said.

He further asserted that Khalid had been imprisoned for six years without a completed trial and that the activist had demonstrated 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,' Hariprasad stated.

He also alleged that the Congress condemned what he called the 'prolonged and unethical detention' of an Indian citizen, maintaining that no political certification was needed to establish Khalid's nationality.

Background to the Controversy

The remarks were triggered by a dispute over a proposed documentary screening at the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) in Bengaluru, during which Hariprasad had earlier described Khalid as a nationalist — a comment that drew sharp criticism from the BJP.

Khalid has been in custody since September 2020 in connection with an alleged conspiracy related to the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots. The prosecution has accused him of involvement in a broader conspiracy, allegations that remain before the courts. Court records in the Northeast Delhi riots conspiracy case indicate that an FIR was registered in March 2020, a main chargesheet was filed in September 2020, and supplementary chargesheets were subsequently filed, including in 2023.

Hariprasad, however, alleged that the progress of the case had stalled and claimed that authorities had failed to file an FIR or chargesheet — a claim that appears to contradict the court record cited above. NationPress notes this discrepancy and attributes Hariprasad's assertion to him directly.

BJP Pushes Back

The BJP responded swiftly. BJP MLA and former Deputy Chief Minister C.N. Ashwathnarayan accused Hariprasad of repeatedly making controversial remarks and alleged that he was lending support to forces the BJP has characterised as anti-national. Former Karnataka Chief Minister and BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai went further, calling for legal action against Hariprasad over his statements.

The Broader Political Context

This is not an isolated exchange. The Khalid case has become a recurring flashpoint in national politics, with the Congress consistently questioning the length of his pre-trial detention under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the BJP defending the prosecution's position. Karnataka's ruling Congress government has a political incentive to press the due-process argument ahead of upcoming electoral cycles.

Notably, Hariprasad's remarks signal a deliberate attempt by the Congress to shift the debate from 'is Khalid anti-national?' to 'who has the authority to make that determination?' — a framing rooted in constitutional doctrine but carrying clear political intent. The controversy is likely to persist as long as the case remains in judicial limbo.