India scolds Mamdani for sending letter to Indian activist held without trial

The Indian government issued a sharp rebuke to New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani after he publicized a letter of support for jailed Indian activist Umar Khalid. Khalid has been held without trial since September 2020 under a controversial anti-terror law for his alleged role in the 2020 New Delhi riots. In a separate action, eight US lawmakers also sent a letter to the Indian ambassador urging for Khalid's bail and a fair trial. The case has drawn international scrutiny, with the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) considering Khalid to be persecuted for protesting religious freedom conditions.