Lucknow, 16 Sept (HS): 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.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi