Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) National Secretary Shravan B. Raj strongly condemned Karnataka Congress President B. K. Hariprasad’s statement describing Umar Khalid as a ‘nationalist’. He said that such statements expose Congress’s changing definition of nationalism. “The Congress that once regarded Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru as nationalists is today calling Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam nationalists. Had Congress been in power, it would have given the Padma Shri to Sharjeel Imam and Umar Khalid,” he said. He added that describing individuals who have faced public controversy in connection with issues such as alleged support for Afzal Guru and slogans and campaigns such as ‘Free Kashmir’ as nationalists is deeply unfortunate.
Shravan B. Raj said ABVP firmly believes that glorification of anyone or any activity perceived to be against the unity, integrity and sovereignty of the country cannot be accepted. Universities must remain spaces for knowledge, research, reasoned debate and academic discussion. ABVP supports the freedom to discuss every issue in an academic manner, but academic freedom cannot be used to justify or normalise terrorism or activities alleged to be anti-national.
He further said that attempts by Left-wing groups and Congress-affiliated student organisations to bring such controversial issues into university campuses will be opposed by ABVP. “Film screenings and other programmes cannot become a means to normalise controversial individuals or activities. ABVP welcomes healthy debate on campuses, but the dignity and academic environment of universities must not be used for glorifying activities perceived to be against the nation,” he said.