New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday accused New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani of interfering in India’s internal affairs after he wrote a note to jailed activist Umar Khalid, asserting that India will not tolerate any such actions.

BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia questioned Mamdani’s “locus standi” to comment on India’s judiciary and internal matters, warning that any challenge to India’s sovereignty would be firmly resisted. “If India’s sovereignty is challenged, 140 crore Indians will stand united under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership,” Bhatia said at a press conference, adding that Indians have complete faith in the country’s judicial system.

The controversy erupted after Mamdani wrote a handwritten note to Khalid, recalling his words on “bitterness” and urging him not to let it consume him. The note, shared on social media platform X by Khalid’s partner Banojyotsna Lahiri, read: “Dear Umar, I think of your words on bitterness often, and the importance of not letting it consume one’s self. It was a pleasure to meet your parents. We are all thinking of you.”

Bhatia said any attempt by “outsiders” to comment on India’s democracy or judiciary—especially in support of an accused—was unacceptable. He alleged that Khalid was someone who wanted to “break India” and said such support amounted to interference in domestic affairs.

The issue has also drawn sharp reactions from right-wing organisations. The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) criticised Mamdani for supporting Khalid, with its national spokesperson Vinod Bansal alleging that the New York City mayor failed to ascertain the “truth” before writing the note. Bansal further claimed that US lawmakers and leaders remained silent on issues like attacks on Hindus and temples, both in Bangladesh and the United States, while commenting on India.

A group of US lawmakers has meanwhile written to India’s Ambassador to the United States, Vinay Kwatra, urging a fair and timely trial for Khalid in accordance with international law.

Khalid and several others have been booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and provisions of the Indian Penal Code for allegedly being “masterminds” of the February 2020 Delhi riots, which left 53 people dead and over 700 injured. Securing bail under the UAPA is difficult, as the burden of proving that the case is false lies on the accused.

Bhatia also used the occasion to target Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, alleging that he meets “anti-India forces” during foreign visits and spreads “falsehoods” about the country abroad. The BJP spokesperson said such actions showed a lack of responsibility expected from the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha.