Row over Bengaluru event on Umar Khalid, BJP moves police commissioner for cancellation

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday urged the Bengaluru Police Commissioner to cancel a scheduled event expressing support for activist Umar Khalid, citing concerns over law and order in the city. A delegation of party leaders, led by Bengaluru Central MP P C Mohan, met Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh and submitted a memorandum seeking withdrawal of permission for the programme planned on April 28.

According to details outlined in the memorandum, the event will feature a reading from the book “Umar Khalid and His World,” followed by a discussion involving historians and intellectuals. The BJP objected to the nature of the gathering, stating that it is being organised under a platform meant to express support for Khalid, who is currently in custody under charges linked to the 2020 Delhi riots.

In its submission, the party argued that Khalid faces serious allegations and that courts have denied him bail over an extended period, which it said reflects the gravity of the case. The memorandum further claimed that organising such an event could amount to glorifying an accused individual and may encourage elements that could disrupt public order. It also raised concerns over the appearance of slogans and wall writings in support of Khalid across parts of the city.

The BJP has requested authorities to cancel the event in the interest of maintaining peace, warning that any untoward incident arising from the programme would not be its responsibility. The development comes against the backdrop of ongoing sensitivities surrounding the 2020 Delhi riots case, in which multiple individuals, including Khalid, have been accused under stringent provisions of law.