The Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday strongly objected to a letter written by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to jailed student leader Umar Khalid. The BJP accused Mamdani of interfering in India’s internal affairs. Party leaders said such actions undermine India’s sovereignty. They asserted that India will not tolerate comments from foreign political figures on its judicial process. The issue has since snowballed into a major political controversy.
Senior BJP leaders said the matter was not about personal sympathy. They argued it was about respecting national boundaries and democratic institutions. According to the BJP, legal cases in India must be handled only by Indian courts. The party maintained that outside opinions could influence public perception unfairly.
BJP Defends Sovereignty and Judiciary
BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia questioned Mamdani’s right to comment on Indian matters. He asked what authority a foreign mayor had to speak on India’s democracy. Bhatia warned that any challenge to India’s sovereignty would face a united response. He said 140 crore Indians stand firmly behind Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He also stated that citizens have complete faith in the Indian judiciary.
Bhatia said India’s courts are independent and capable of delivering justice. He stressed that no external pressure should be applied in sensitive legal cases. The BJP described Mamdani’s note as an attempt to influence opinion. The remarks were made at a press conference held at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi. Party leaders reiterated that India follows constitutional principles and due process of law.
Mamdani’s Note and Political Reaction
The controversy began after Mamdani wrote a handwritten note to Umar Khalid. In the note, Mamdani referred to Khalid’s thoughts on bitterness. He spoke about the importance of not letting bitterness consume oneself. Mamdani also mentioned that he had met Khalid’s parents. He expressed solidarity and said many people were thinking of him.
The note was shared on social media platform X. It was posted by Khalid’s partner, Banojyotsna Lahiri. The caption highlighted how words can cross prison walls. The post quickly gained attention online. Supporters called it a humanitarian gesture. Critics, however, saw it as political interference. The BJP reacted sharply, calling the message inappropriate and unacceptable.
UAPA Case and International Attention
Umar Khalid has been in jail under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act since 2020. He is accused of being one of the masterminds behind the February 2020 northeast Delhi riots. The violence claimed 53 lives and injured over 700 people. Khalid has denied all allegations against him. The case remains under trial.
Under the UAPA, securing bail is extremely difficult. The law places a heavy burden of proof on the accused. Legal experts have often described the provision as stringent. This has drawn criticism from rights groups. The case has also attracted international attention.
Recently, eight US lawmakers wrote to Indian Ambassador Vinay Mohan Kwatra. They urged the Indian government to grant Umar Khalid bail. They also called for a free and fair trial. The letter was dated December 30 and cited international legal standards. It was shared publicly by US Congressman Jim McGovern.
The lawmakers said they had met Khalid’s parents earlier in December. They claimed human rights organisations and global media had raised concerns about the investigation. Other signatories included Jamie Raskin and Pramila Jayapal. The BJP has not responded directly to this letter. The issue continues to fuel political and diplomatic debate.
