India Row: US Letter on Khalid Sparks BJP Firestorm
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The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched a sharp attack following a letter penned by US lawmakers to the Indian Ambassador regarding the prolonged detention of activist Umar Khalid. The letter, expressing concern over Khalid’s imprisonment, has been framed by the BJP as evidence of a foreign attempt to interfere in India’s internal affairs.
The controversy escalated with the involvement of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who also wrote a personal letter to Khalid. The BJP has directly accused Mamdani of overstepping boundaries and engaging in unwarranted interference. They have further linked the actions of the US lawmakers and Mamdani to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, alleging the existence of an “anti-India lobby” actively working to undermine India’s sovereignty.
Umar Khalid, a vocal critic of the government, has been detained for over three years in connection with the 2020 Delhi riots. His supporters maintain his innocence and argue his detention is politically motivated. Khalid’s father has expressed hope that the attention drawn by the US lawmakers’ letter might improve his son’s chances of securing bail. The BJP’s response underscores the sensitivity surrounding the case and the government’s firm stance against external scrutiny of its judicial processes.
