Mamdani slammed for sending letter to jailed Indian activist

 
The Indian government delivered a sharp rebuke to New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani after a letter he wrote to jailed Indian activist Umar Khalid was publicized, reports the Middle East Eye (MEE).

Mamdani penned the letter in early December after meeting Khalid's parents, who were visiting the United States in December last year. 

Khalid's parents shared the letter a few days ago, which has been circulating on social media platforms such as X and Instagram. 

Eight US lawmakers also wrote a letter to Indian ambassador Vinay Mohan Kwatra, dated 30 December, urging India to grant Khalid bail and a free trial "in accordance to international law".

Democratic Congressman Jim McGovern, who is co-chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, shared the letter, which was also signed by Democratic Representatives Jamie Raskin, Pramila Jayapal, Jan Schakowsky, Lloyd Doggett and Rashida Tlaib; and Democratic Senators Chris Van Hollen and Peter Welch.

Randhir Jaiswal from the external affairs ministry said in a public statement that Mamdani should focus on his own affairs rather than wading into another country.

"On the issue of comments made by the Mayor of New York [City], we expect public representatives to be respectful of the independence of judiciaries in other democracies," Jaiswal said. "Expressing personal prejudices does not behoove those in office," he added. 

"Instead of such comments, it would be better to focus on the responsibilities entrusted to them." 

Student activist Khalid has been held in prison without trial since September 2020, and is accused of being behind the New Delhi riots that took place in February 2020. The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) considers Khalid as being persecuted for "protesting religious freedom conditions". 

Khalid was charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, or UAPA, a law that allows for prolonged detention and makes bail exceptionally difficult.  

On Monday, India's Supreme Court rejected Khalid's bail application.

Mamdani's letter to Khalid reads, "Dear Umar, I think of your words on bitterness often and the importance of not letting it consume one's self. It was a pleasure to meet your parents. We are all thinking of you," the letter reads.

>>Agency