India cautions New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani over remarks on Umar Khalid case
New Delhi: The Indian government said that public representatives in other democracies are expected to respect the independence of the judiciary, in a response to reports that New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani had written a letter to jailed activist Umar Khalid.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, addressing a press briefing on Friday, said that expressing personal prejudices did not befit those holding public office and advised elected representatives to focus on the responsibilities entrusted to them rather than commenting on judicial matters in another country.
The response followed disclosures earlier this month that Mamdani had sent a handwritten letter to Khalid in December. The letter was reportedly handed over to Khalid’s parents during their visit to the United States. In the note, Mamdani referred to Khalid’s writings on bitterness and expressed solidarity, stating that he and others were thinking of him.
Earlier this week, the Supreme Court declined to grant bail to Khalid and fellow activist Sharjeel Imam, while allowing bail to five other accused in the same case. The court, however, said Khalid and Imam could renew their bail pleas after the examination of all protected witnesses or after one year.
Mamdani, in 2023, before being elected mayor of New York City, read excerpts from Khalid’s writings at an event in New York ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the city, which had drawn attention to Khalid’s detention and the denial of bail.
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Karnataka bypolls: Over 60 per cent voter turnout in Bagalkot, Davanagere South till 5 pm
Bengaluru (PTI): Over 60 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 5 pm in both Assembly constituencies in Karnataka, where bypolls were held on Thursday.
While the turnout in Bagalkot was 65.68 per cent, it was 63.04 per cent in Davanagere South.
While the ruling Congress faces the challenge of retaining both seats, the BJP aims to wrest them and deliver a setback to its rival, which is currently witnessing an "internal power struggle" over leadership.
The bypolls were necessitated due to the demise of senior Congress MLAs H Y Meti (Bagalkot) and Shamanur Shivashankarappa (Davanagere South).
A total of over 2.59 lakh eligible voters are expected to cast their votes at around 319 polling stations in Bagalkot, where nine candidates are in the fray.
In Davanagere South, over 2.31 lakh eligible voters are expected to vote across 284 polling stations, with 25 candidates contesting.
The BJP has fielded former MLA and 2023 defeated candidate Veerabhadrayya Charantimath from Bagalkot, and a fresh face, Srinivas T Dasakariyappa, from Davanagere South.
The Congress has given tickets to family members of the late legislators in both constituencies. Bagalkot candidate Umesh Meti is the son of H Y Meti, while Samarth Mallikarjun from Davanagere South is the grandson of Shamanur Shivashankarappa.
