If in power, Congress would have given Padma Shri to Sharjeel Imam, Umar Khalid: ABVP

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) national secretary Shravan B. Raj has condemned Karnataka Congress president B.K. Hariprasad's remarks describing Umar Khalid as a “nationalist”. He said such statements exposed what he described as the Congress's changing definition of nationalism. Shravan B. Raj said it was highly unfortunate to describe as nationalists people who have faced public controversy over issues including alleged support for Afzal Guru and slogans and campaigns such as “Free Kashmir”.

“The Congress, which once considered Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru nationalists, is now calling Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam nationalists. If the Congress were in power, it would have given the Padma Shri to Sharjeel Imam and Umar Khalid. Academic freedom cannot be used to justify or normalise terrorism or activities alleged to be anti-national. The ABVP will oppose attempts by Left groups and student organisations associated with the Congress to bring such controversial issues to university campuses,” Shravan B. Raj said.