The National Law School of India University (NLSIU) in Bengaluru has cancelled the screening of a documentary focused on Omar Khalid, which was scheduled for September 14. The decision came after significant pressure from the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), which had demanded the removal of the screening from campus.
The documentary, titled "Prisoner Number 626710 is Present," was directed by filmmaker Lalit Wachani and explored the circumstances surrounding Omar Khalid's detention. Khalid, a former JNU student council vice president, faces charges related to the 2020 Delhi riots and remains in custody.
According to NLSIU's Law Society (LawSoc), the screening was postponed due to "logistical and security reasons." The student body did not directly address whether external pressures influenced the decision but instead framed the postponement as an administrative necessity. No new date has been announced for an alternate screening venue or timeline.
ABVP had taken strong objection to the planned screening on Saturday, approaching university management and requesting that the event be called off. The student organisation argued that the documentary presented a biased narrative and could create disturbances on campus.
The controversy highlights the ongoing tensions around free expression within Indian academic institutions. Student groups across the political spectrum have frequently clashed over screenings and events featuring individuals involved in politically sensitive cases.
Khalid's case has drawn widespread attention since his arrest in connection with the February 2020 Delhi violence. He has been held in jail for an extended period without bail, and his legal team has repeatedly sought his release on medical grounds. Various civil society organisations and legal experts have expressed concern over the length of his pre-trial detention.
The incident at NLSIU is the latest in a series of debates over what content is deemed appropriate for university campuses in India, with student political wings often playing pivotal roles in either promoting or opposing such events.
