Archive · 3 Jan 2026
BJP Accuses Mamdani of Interfering in India's Affairs
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in India is upset with New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
They say he is interfering in India's internal affairs because he wrote a kind note to a jailed activist named Umar Khalid.
The BJP thinks Mamdani should not support someone who is accused of crimes in India.
Umar Khalid is in jail because of his involvement in protests that turned violent in Delhi in 2020.
Some US lawmakers are also worried about how Khalid is being treated in jail.
They think the investigation and legal process might not be fair.
The BJP says Indians trust their own judiciary and do not want outsiders to comment on it.
BJP accuses New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani of interfering in India's internal affairs over a note to jailed activist Umar Khalid.
Mamdani's note expressed support and solidarity with Khalid, who is detained under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).
BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia stated that India will not tolerate outsiders commenting on its democracy and judiciary.
Umar Khalid was arrested in 2020 in connection with the Delhi riots and has been in prolonged pre-trial detention.
US lawmakers have raised concerns about the fairness of Khalid's case and his treatment in detention.
- Who
- BJP Spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia, New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Jailed Activist Umar Khalid
- What
- BJP accuses Mamdani of interfering in India's internal affairs over a note to Umar Khalid
- When
- After Mamdani's note was made public
- Where
- India and the United States
- Why
- Mamdani's support for Umar Khalid, who is jailed in India
- Person
- Gaurav Bhatia (BJP Spokesperson), Zohran Mamdani (New York Mayor), Umar Khalid (Jailed Activist)
- Event
- Mamdani's note to Umar Khalid
- Context
- Response to Mamdani's support for jailed activist Umar Khalid
- Accusation
- Interference in India's internal affairs
- Case
- Umar Khalid's arrest under UAPA for 2020 Delhi riots
- US Lawmakers
- James P McGovern and seven others
- Concerns
- Prolonged pre-trial detention and fairness of the investigation
