Senior Congress leader and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan has publicly expressed support for New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who recently wrote a letter to 2020 Delhi riots co-accused Umar Khalid. Chavan stated that Mamdani, as a person of Indian origin, possessed "every right to intervene" in the matter.
Chavan's Justification for Mamdani's Intervention
In comments made to the news agency PTI on Monday, Chavan elaborated on his stance. He emphasized Mamdani's Indian roots and connection to the country's political landscape. "He (Mamdani) has faith in Indian politics. He spoke in Hindi during his campaign, appealing to Indians there. Indian blood flows in him, so if injustice is happening to an Indian, he has every right to intervene, whether he is an American citizen or not," Chavan asserted.
The Congress veteran further argued that the principle of human rights was paramount. "But more importantly, human rights are supreme. So I think there’s no need to panic if he wrote a letter," he added, downplaying the controversy surrounding the communication.
The Context: Mamdani's Letter and Khalid's Incarceration
Zohran Mamdani, the 34-year-old socialist Democrat who made history as New York City's first Muslim and Indian-origin mayor, was sworn in on New Year's Day after winning the election in November last year. He is the son of filmmaker Mira Nair and academic Mahmood Mamdani.
His handwritten note was addressed to Umar Khalid, who has been in jail since his arrest in September 2020. Khalid was arrested months after the communal riots that shook the national capital in February 2020. In the letter, Mamdani wrote, "Dear Umar, I think of your words on bitterness often, and the importance of not letting it consume oneself. It was a pleasure to meet your parents. We are all thinking of you."
Legal Developments and Chavan's Recent Controversies
This development coincided with a significant legal ruling on Monday. The Supreme Court rejected the bail pleas of two Delhi riots accused—Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam. However, it granted conditional bail to five others. All had challenged the Delhi High Court's earlier rejection of their bail applications.
Chavan's remarks follow closely on the heels of another controversial statement he made recently. He had claimed that India was "defeated" on the first day of its four-day conflict with Pakistan in May 2025, a comment that drew widespread criticism. He later refused to apologise for it.
This is not the first time the senior Congress leader has sparked a debate. In July last year, he had also raised eyebrows by questioning why anti-terror operations were being given "Hindu names." His latest comments in support of Mayor Mamdani are likely to keep him in the spotlight of political discourse.
