The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), a student organization affiliated with the RSS, has sought the cancellation of a proposed documentary screening on activist Umar Khalid at the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) in Bengaluru. In a statement dated September 13, 2026, the ABVP said it had submitted a formal complaint to the NLSIU administration requesting the event's cancellation but had not yet received a response. The documentary, titled 'Prisoner No. 626710 is Present,' is directed by Lalit Vachani and focuses on Khalid's legal case and activism.

ABVP leaders condemned the screening, arguing that it would serve as a platform for political propaganda and glorify civil unrest. They cited Khalid's alleged associations with controversies surrounding the 2016 JNU protests, Afzal Guru commemorations, the CAA-NRC protests, and the Delhi riots. The organization urged the NLSIU administration to 'immediately cancel all permissions' for the event, asserting that this was necessary to preserve the university's institutional integrity.

Advocate Girish Bharadwaj, in an email shared with media, also called for the cancellation of the screening. He emphasized that while academic discussions on issues such as pre-trial detention, bail, dissent, constitutional freedoms, and the criminal justice system are acceptable, they should be conducted through a balanced program that includes diverse perspectives. Bharadwaj suggested that the university should consider the viewpoints of victims of terrorism and separatist violence to ensure a comprehensive and fair discussion.

The NLSIU administration has not yet responded to either the ABVP's complaint or Bharadwaj's email. The university's decision on the event's approval or cancellation remains pending. No details have been provided on whether the screening was previously approved or if there are plans to proceed with it. The absence of a formal response from the university raises questions about the transparency of the decision-making process.

The documentary's content and its potential impact on academic discourse remain unclear. While the ABVP and Bharadwaj have raised concerns about the event's implications, no official statement has been issued by the NLSIU or the documentary's organizers. The university's stance on balancing academic freedom with institutional responsibility is yet to be clarified. As the situation develops, the NLSIU's approach to such events will likely be a subject of further scrutiny and debate.

The controversy highlights broader tensions between free speech, academic freedom, and institutional values. While the ABVP and Bharadwaj have expressed concerns about the event's potential to promote political propaganda, the documentary's proponents may argue that it offers a critical examination of legal and human rights issues. The outcome of this dispute could set a precedent for how universities navigate similar controversies in the future.