New Delhi: In a sharp response to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s letter to jailed activist Umar Khalid, India on Friday stated that public representatives are expected to 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,” said Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Randhir Jaiswal in a press briefing. Earlier this month, a photograph of the note by Mamdani was shared on X on Thursday by Khalid’s friend, Banojyotsna Lahiri, the same day Mamdani was ceremonially sworn in as mayor.
In the brief handwritten message addressed to Khalid, Mamdani wrote, “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 note was handed over to Khalid’s parents when Mamdani met them during their visit to the United States in December 2025, according to multiple media reports. Lahiri told The Hindustan Times that Khalid’s parents, Sahiba Khanam and Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas, had travelled to the US ahead of the wedding of their youngest daughter to meet another daughter who resides there and was unable to travel to India.
Umar Khalid Denied Bail
On January 5, the Supreme Court refused bail to activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case, citing a prima facie case against them under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N V Anjaria said a delay in trial does not operate as a “trump card” which automatically displaces statutory safeguards.
While the apex court refused bail for Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, it granted bail to other accused – Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa Ur Rehman, Mohd. Saleem Khan and Shadab Ahmad. All seven were booked under the UAPA and various provisions of the Indian Penal Code, for allegedly being among the “masterminds” behind the 2020 riots in Delhi.
