Fri Jan 09 21:22:00 UTC 2026: ### India Disapproves of NYC Mayor Mamdani’s Support for Jailed Activist Umar Khalid

The Story:
India has publicly criticized New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for expressing solidarity with jailed activist Umar Khalid. The disapproval came in response to Mr. Mamdani handing a handwritten note to Mr. Khalid through his parents during a U.S. meeting last month. An External Affairs Ministry spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, stated that public representatives should respect the independence of the judiciary in other democracies.

Key Points:

  • The Indian government expressed disapproval of Mayor Zohran Mamdani‘s note to jailed activist Umar Khalid.
  • Mr. Mamdani, of Indian-origin, conveyed solidarity with Mr. Khalid in the note.
  • The External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that public representatives should respect the independence of the judiciary in other democracies and avoid expressing personal prejudices.
  • Umar Khalid has been jailed since September 2020 under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) in connection with the February 2020 Delhi riots.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Indian government is sensitive to foreign officials commenting on internal legal matters, especially those involving controversial cases like that of Umar Khalid.
  • The statement highlights the Indian government’s emphasis on judicial independence and non-interference.
  • The incident raises questions about the extent to which foreign politicians should comment on legal proceedings in other countries.
  • This event could potentially strain relations between India and individuals or groups within the U.S. political landscape that support Umar Khalid.

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