Zohran Mamdanis note to Umar Khalid draws criticism from MEA

India on Friday (January 9, 2026) 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.

Mr. Mamdani, who is of Indian-origin, handed over a handwritten note to Mr. Khalid when the activist’s parents met him in the U.S. last month.

In the note, Mr. Mamdani conveyed his solidarity with Mr. 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 Mr. Mamdani’s communication to Mr. 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,” Mr. Jaiswal said.

Mr. Khalid has been denied bail since he was arrested by the Delhi Police in September 2020.

He was booked under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act in a case related to clashes in northeast Delhi in February 2020 between supporters of the Citizenship Amendment Act and those opposing the law.