Bengaluru: A seminar linked to former JNU student leader and Delhi riots accused Umar Khalid has triggered a major political controversy in Karnataka, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) staging protests and accusing the Congress government of supporting “anti-national elements.”
The event, organised in Bengaluru in connection with a book titled *“Umar Khalid and His World”*, has drawn sharp reactions from political parties. The book, released earlier this year, compiles Khalid’s letters, diary entries, and writings from prison, curated by his close associates.
The seminar held in support of Umar Khalid quickly turned into a flashpoint, as BJP Yuva Morcha activists staged protests near the venue. Police detained several protestors, and minor scuffles were reported during the demonstration.
While BJP workers took to the streets, senior state leaders largely confined their response to press briefings rather than joining the protest on the ground. The party, however, adopted a strong stance, alleging that the Congress government was indirectly endorsing individuals accused in serious cases like the 2020 Delhi riots.
Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, R. Ashoka, criticised the government, stating that allowing such events sends a “wrong message” and amounts to encouraging anti-national narratives. BJP leader C.T. Ravi also lashed out, accusing the Congress of pursuing political gains by supporting controversial figures.
On the other hand, the seminar organisers maintained that the event was meant for discussion and intellectual engagement around the ideas presented in the book.
Umar Khalid, who remains in Jail in connection with the 2020 Delhi riots case, continues to be a politically sensitive figure, and any event associated with him often leads to sharp ideological clashes.
The controversy has once again highlighted the deep political divide in Karnataka, with both BJP and Congress trading accusations. Observers say the issue could escalate further depending on how both sides continue to respond in the coming days.
