India slams Mamdani for supporting Delhi riots accused Umar Khalid, tells him to focus on New York

New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs has strongly reacted to a letter written by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani expressing sympathy for imprisoned Delhi riots accused Umar Khalid, stating that he should focus on his responsibilities as mayor instead of such matters.

What message did the EAM give to Mamdani?

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, responding to a question on the matter during a weekly briefing on Friday, said, "We expect public representatives to respect the independence of the judiciary in other democracies. Expressing personal biases does not behove those holding public office. Instead of such comments, it would be better for them to focus on their responsibilities."

What had Mamdani done?

Mamdani had written a personal letter to former JNU student and Delhi riots accused Umar Khalid, who has been imprisoned in Delhi's Tihar Jail since 2020 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. 

"I often think about what you said about bitterness and the importance of not letting it consume you. It was a pleasure meeting your parents. We are all thinking of you," Mamdani wrote.

Who is Mamdani?

Mamdani is the first Muslim and the first person of Indian origin to be elected to the New York City Council, representing the largest city in the US. His mother is the renowned filmmaker Mira Nair. According to reports, Mamdani met Umar Khalid's parents, Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas and Sahiba Khanam, in New York last December. 

Mamdani's handwritten letter comes at a time when eight Democratic members of the US Congress wrote to India's Ambassador to the US, Vinay Kwatra, appealing for Umar Khalid to be granted bail and for a fair and timely trial in accordance with international law.

What is Khalid’s current status?

The Supreme Court on Monday gave an important decision in the cases related to Delhi riots. The court refused to grant bail to student leaders Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam. At the same time, five other accused got relief in the same case. The court clearly said that the role of every accused is not the same and the decision is taken on that basis.

The court said that the allegations leveled against both of them are serious. His role in the case record appears different from that of the other accused. 

According to the court, the weight of the allegations against these two is high. For this reason he cannot be granted bail at present. On the other hand, the Supreme Court ordered bail to Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa ur Rehman, Mohammad Salim Khan and Shadab Ahmed. The court believed that the circumstances in these cases are different and should be viewed from the same perspective.

Umar Khalid is in jail since September 2020. He is in judicial custody since then. Whereas, Sharjeel Imam is in jail since January 2020. His arrest took place before the riots. UAPA has been imposed on all the accused. Many sections of IPC have also been added. The police have called them conspirators.