The Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday criticised New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for writing a note to jailed activist Umar Khalid, calling it an attempt to interfere in India’s internal affairs.
BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia questioned Mamdani’s right to comment on matters related to India and issued a strong warning against such actions. “India will not tolerate any interference in its internal matters. If anyone challenges our sovereignty, all 140 crore Indians will stand united under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” Bhatia said. He added that the people of the country have complete trust in India’s democratic system and judiciary.
The controversy began after a handwritten note by Mamdani to Umar Khalid was shared on the social media platform X by Khalid’s partner, Banojyotsna Lahiri. Sharing the note, she wrote that even when prisons try to isolate people, words still find a way to reach out. In the note, Mamdani referred to Khalid’s views on bitterness and the importance of not letting it take over one’s life. He also mentioned meeting Khalid’s parents and wrote that many people were thinking of him.
Reacting sharply, Bhatia said that coming out in support of an accused person and commenting on India’s legal process was unacceptable. “Who is this outsider to raise questions on our democracy and judiciary, and that too while supporting someone who wanted to break the country,” he said during a press conference at the BJP headquarters.
Umar Khalid is currently in jail under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and sections of the Indian Penal Code in connection with the February 2020 Delhi riots, in which 53 people were killed, and more than 700 were injured. The police have alleged that Khalid and others were among the main conspirators behind the violence.
Under the UAPA, getting bail is difficult, as the accused must prove that the case against them is false.
