India Slams New York Mayor Mamdani for Writing Note to Umar Khalid

India on Friday appeared to disapprove of New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani writing a note to jailed activist Umar Khalid, saying public representatives should respect the independence of the judiciary in other democracies.

Mamdani, who is of Indian-origin, handed over a handwritten note to Khalid when the activist's parents met him in the US last month. In the note, Mamdani conveyed his solidarity with Khalid.

"We



expect public representatives to be respectful of the independence of the judiciary in other democracies," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at his weekly media briefing.

He was responding to a question on Mamdani's communication to Khalid. "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," Jaiswal said.