Karnataka Cong Chief Defends Calling Umar Khalid a Nationalist
The remarks came amid criticism from the BJP over Hariprasad's comments on Khalid, who has been in custody since his arrest in September 2020 in connection with the larger conspiracy case relating to the February 2020 Delhi riots
Bengaluru: Karnataka Congress president B K Hariprasad on Thursday defended his description of jailed student activist Umar Khalid as a "nationalist", questioning the BJP's authority to label him "anti-national." The remarks came amid criticism from the BJP over Hariprasad's comments on Khalid, who has been in custody since his arrest in September 2020 in connection with the larger conspiracy case relating to the February 2020 Delhi riots.
"This is an issue that should be viewed within the constitutional and democratic framework of the country. Who are the opponents of the Constitution? Who are the opponents of the Tricolour? Who are the opponents of the national anthem?" Hariprasad told reporters here.
He said Khalid had not spoken against the Constitution or the Tricolour and maintained that he respected the judiciary.
"Khalid has nowhere spoken against the Constitution or the Tricolour. Even though he was kept in jail for six years illegally, he has not spoken against the judiciary. He has the highest respect for the courts," he said.
Hariprasad said BJP leaders were not judges and the party office was not a court to decide whether someone was an anti-national.
"He does not need their certificate. Neither BJP's Nadda nor 'Junior' Yediyurappa (an apparent reference to BJP state chief B Y Vijayendra) nor anyone from the BJP is a judge. The BJP office is not a court. If someone says that he is an anti-national, should that be decided by them or by a court," he asked.
He also questioned the basis for describing Khalid as an anti-national, saying, "Even according to their own standards, they have not been able to file an FIR against him, nor have they filed a chargesheet against him."
Hariprasad said he and others condemned what he described as Khalid's "illegal detention" for six years.
On BJP leader C T Ravi describing his remarks as "anti-national", Hariprasad said: "All anti-nationals say things like that."
Hariprasad on September 15 called Khalid a "nationalist" amid a controversy over the proposed screening of a documentary on him at the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) in Bengaluru.
The ABVP had opposed the screening and subsequently criticised Hariprasad's remarks, while BJP state president B Y Vijayendra also demanded that he apologise.
