NYC Mayor Mamdani's Letter to Jailed Umar Khalid Sparks Controversy in India

• New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, of Indian origin, wrote a handwritten letter expressing solidarity with jailed activist Umar Khalid.
• Khalid, a former JNU student, has been imprisoned for over five years under UAPA charges related to the February 2020 Delhi riots.
• The letter, shared by Khalid's partner, followed a meeting between Mamdani and Khalid's parents in the US.
• Eight US lawmakers also urged India's Ambassador for Khalid's bail and a fair, timely trial, raising concerns about UAPA.
• Mamdani's letter and the lawmakers' intervention drew criticism from Indian political figures like BJP and VHP, while others defended the concern.

Why It Matters: NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani's solidarity letter to jailed Umar Khalid and US lawmakers' intervention ignite debate in India.