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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4 workers die after being buried under coal slurry in Jharkhand's Dhanbad
Dhanbad (Jharkhand) (PTI): At least four workers died after being buried under coal slurry in Jharkhand's Dhanbad district on Saturday, a police official said.
The incident took place at Moonidih coal washery in the command area of Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL).
"Bodies of all four workers were dug out of debris during a rescue operation," Putki police station in-charge Waqar Hussain told PTI.
The incident took place when coal slurry was being loaded into trucks by workers, during which a large chunk of slurry fell and trapped several workers underneath, officials said.
The deceased have been identified as Manik Bauri, Dinesh Bauri, Deepak Bauri, and Hemlal Gope.
Meanwhile, the family members of the deceased and local villagers placed the bodies in front of the washery gate and began a protest.
They demanded compensation, jobs for dependents and action against those responsible for the incident.
Police and administration officials are trying to pacify the protesters, an official said.
