India on Friday criticised New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for sending a note expressing solidarity with jailed activist Umar Khalid, asserting that such actions reflect a lack of respect for the judicial processes of another democracy.
Responding to the issue during the weekly media briefing, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Mamdani should be mindful of the responsibilities entrusted to him and refrain from commenting on matters under judicial consideration in other countries.
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“Mamdani should be respectful of the judiciaries in other democracies and should focus on the responsibilities given to him,” Jaiswal said.
The remarks came after Mamdani met Khalid’s parents last month and handed them a handwritten letter addressed to the activist, who is currently in jail. In the note, the New York City mayor expressed solidarity with Khalid and reflected on his writings.
“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,” Mamdani wrote.
The MEA’s response underscores India’s position that external figures should avoid commentary on domestic legal matters and respect the independence of judicial institutions.
(This story is published from a syndicated feed)
