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The event was originally scheduled for September 14 to mark Political Prisoners’ Day and the sixth anniversary of Umar Khalid’s pre-trial detention
Umar Khalid was arrested on September 13, 2020, under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in connection with the alleged conspiracy behind the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots. He has remained lodged in Tihar Jail for six years without the trial reaching a substantive stage. File pic/PTI
The Law and Society Committee (LawSoc) at the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, has postponed the screening of Prisoner No. 626710 is Present, a documentary by director Lalit Vachani detailing the incarceration of student leader Umar Khalid. The event was originally scheduled for September 14 to mark Political Prisoners’ Day and the sixth anniversary of Khalid’s pre-trial detention.
Logistical and Safety Precaution
LawSoc clarified that the decision to reschedule was taken due to “logistical and security concerns” rather than external pressure. The student body emphasised that the postponement is a precautionary measure to ensure the event can be conducted in a safe, responsible environment without compromising student well-being.
The committee reaffirmed its intention to hold the screening later in the current academic trimester. The planned event aims to anchor broader academic discussions around pre-trial detention, bail laws, dissent, political incarceration, and the relationship between criminal procedure and constitutional freedoms.
Friction and Objections Over Campus Event
The deferral followed intense opposition from student group Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and external legal commentators, who urged university authorities to cancel permissions for the screening.
- ABVP Stance: ABVP Bengaluru submitted a formal complaint to the NLSIU administration, contending that academic institutions should remain dedicated to national integrity rather than serving as venues for political propaganda or glorifying civil unrest.
- Broader Pushback: Critics argued that while discussions on civil liberties and pre-trial detention are legitimate, focusing on individuals accused under anti-terror statutes risks misrepresenting ongoing judicial proceedings.
Context of Incarceration and Campus Screenings
Umar Khalid was arrested on September 13, 2020, under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in connection with the alleged conspiracy behind the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots. He has remained lodged in Tihar Jail for six years without the trial reaching a substantive stage.
NLSIU student representatives noted that documentary screenings surrounding civil liberties have previously been hosted on campus as part of academic discourse. Organisers reiterated that the event will be rescheduled once necessary arrangements are finalised to facilitate constructive, safe deliberation.
Quick Answers
Ask News18The Law and Society Committee (LawSoc) at NLSIU postponed the screening of “Prisoner No. 626710 is Present” due to logistical and security concerns. The student body emphasized that the postponement was a precautionary measure to ensure a safe and responsible environment for student well-being, rather than a reaction to external pressure. The committee intends to reschedule the screening for later in the current academic trimester.
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Pathikrit Sen Gupta is a Senior Associate Editor with News18.com and likes to cut a long story short. He writes sporadically on Politics, Sports, Global Affairs, Space, Entertainment, And Food. He tra…Read More
September 14, 2026, 05:37 IST
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