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New Delhi: India on Friday criticised New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani for sending a note expressing solidarity with jailed student activist Umar Khalid, saying public representatives must respect the independence of the judiciary in other democracies.
Reacting to the letter, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said such expressions did not befit those holding public office. "We expect public representatives to be respectful of the independence of the judiciary in other democracies. Expressing personal prejudices does not behove those in office. Instead of such comments, it would be better to focus on the responsibilities entrusted to them," Jaiswal said at the weekly media briefing.
Mamdani had handed over a handwritten note addressed to Khalid when he met the activist's parents last month. In the note, Mamdani expressed solidarity with Khalid, writing: "Dear Umar, I think of your words on bitterness often, and the importance of not letting it consume oneself. It was a pleasure to meet your parents. We are all thinking of you."
The undated letter was shared on social media last week, shortly after Mamdani was sworn in as mayor in a midnight ceremony.
Responding to questions on the matter, Jaiswal reiterated that India disapproved of such communications, underlining that personal opinions should not interfere with judicial processes in another country.
Mamdani's support for Khalid dates back to his tenure as a member of the New York State Assembly. In June 2023, during protests against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the United States, Mamdani read excerpts from Khalid's prison diary, portraying him as a scholar and former student activist who had been unjustly persecuted.
Khalid's father, Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas, told NDTV that he met Mamdani on December 9 for around 25 minutes during a visit to the US. "He said he always thinks about Umar's incarceration and that he must get bail now," Ilyas said, adding that Mamdani asked if there was anything he could do, to which the family replied, "Just pray".
Khalid has been lodged in jail since September 2020 in connection with the February 2020 Delhi riots, in which 53 people were killed. He was arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), charges he has consistently denied. The Supreme Court has recently denied him bail in the riots case.
