India vs NYC Mayor: MEA hits back after Mamdani backs jailed activist Umar Khalid

Responding during the weekly press briefing, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said public representatives must respect the independence of the judiciary in other democracies.

“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.

Mamdani, a vocal critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had publicly expressed support for Khalid, drawing renewed international attention to the activist’s legal battle linked to the 2020 North-East Delhi riots. The New York City mayor—its first Indian-origin Muslim to hold the post—recently met Khalid’s parents.

Mamdani’s note, shared online by Khalid’s partner Banojyotsna Lahiri, reflected on Khalid’s earlier remarks about resisting bitterness and sustaining hope in the face of adversity.

Khalid remains an accused in the alleged larger conspiracy behind the 2020 Delhi riots and has been charge-sheeted under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

Earlier this month, the Supreme Court rejected the bail pleas of former Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) PhD scholar Umar Khalid and activist Sharjeel Imam in the riots case, though relief was granted to five other accused.

A bench comprising Justices Aravind Kumar and N.V. Anjaria cited material on record indicating their involvement in a criminal conspiracy and said a prima facie case was made out against them.

“Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam stand on a qualitatively different footing as compared to other accused,” the bench observed, as quoted by NDTV, adding that “the hierarchy of participation requires the court to assess each application individually.”