The National Law School of India University (NLSIU) in Bengaluru has cancelled the planned screening of a documentary on jailed activist Umar Khalid, according to the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). The documentary, titled 'Prisoner No. 626710 is Present,' was to be screened as part of a discussion series on legal and political issues. The cancellation followed a prolonged discussion with the Student Bar Association, university administration, and faculty members, with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) citing certification concerns as a key factor.

The Law and Society Committee (LawSoc) at NLSIU had initially proposed the screening on September 14, which coincided with Political Prisoners’ Day. However, the event was postponed after ABVP raised objections. A student from NLSIU confirmed that the CBFC had recently highlighted that the documentary was not certified, and that screening it without specific exemption would violate the Cinematograph Act. The university administration and Student Bar Association (SBA) therefore decided to drop the screening.

ABVP, which is affiliated with the RSS, had previously called for an inquiry into the proposed screening, urging Union Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal to intervene. In a statement, ABVP reiterated its stance that academic freedom should not be used to promote narratives that challenge national sovereignty or security. It emphasized that premier legal institutions must not become platforms for individuals associated with glorifying attacks on the nation or advocating for the secession of Jammu and Kashmir.

The cancellation has sparked a debate between ABVP and pro-Khalid voices, including members of the ruling Congress in Karnataka. State Congress president BK Hariprasad has described Khalid as a 'nationalist,' while ABVP and BJP leaders have condemned the documentary as subversive. Khalid, a student activist, was arrested in September 2020 in connection with a case related to the February 2020 Delhi riots and is currently booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Despite the cancellation, LawSoc has proceeded with its planned discussion series, titled 'The Criminal Justice Conversations,' which includes sessions on the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and other legal frameworks. A student noted that the series aims to engage students, researchers, and faculty in understanding the impact of anti-terror laws on political freedoms. The first session, on 'UAPA: Bail and Beyond,' will feature Radhika Chitkara.

No official confirmation has been provided by NLSIU regarding the cancellation, and the ABVP has not yet received a formal response from the university administration. The CBFC has not commented on the matter, and no further details have been released about the legal status of the documentary. The situation remains unresolved, with the university administration and ABVP continuing to hold differing views on the role of academic institutions in addressing political and legal issues.