Prithviraj Chavan (File photo) NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leader and former Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan on Monday came out in support of New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani for writing a letter to 2020 Delhi riots co-accused Umar Khalid.Chavan said that, as a person of Indian origin, Mamdani had “every right to intervene.”Also Read: Who is he to question? BJP on New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s Umar Khalid note“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. But more importantly, human rights are supreme. So I think there’s no need to panic if he wrote a letter,” Chavan told news agency PTI.The socialist Democrat, New York City’s first Muslim and Indian-origin mayor, is the son of filmmaker Mira Nair and academic Mahmood Mamdani. The 34-year-old was sworn in on New Year’s Day after winning the mayoral election in November last year.In his handwritten note to Khalid, who has been in jail since his arrest in September 2020, months after communal riots rocked the national capital in February that year, 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.”The Supreme Court on Monday rejected the bail pleas of two Delhi riots accused—Khalid and Sharjeel Imam—and granted bail, subject to conditions, to five others. They had challenged the Delhi high court’s rejection of their pleas.Meanwhile, Chavan’s remarks come days after he drew flak for claiming that India was “defeated” on the first day of its four-day conflict with Pakistan in May 2025. He later refused to apologise despite widespread outrage.In July last year, he had also sparked controversy by questioning why anti-terror operations were being given “Hindu names.”About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosCPI-M Protests Near Us Consulate In Chennai Over Venezuela AttackBJP Welcomes SC Denial Of Bail To Umar Khalid And Sharjeel Imam; Opposition Calls It Unfortunate”US Has No Jurisdiction in Venezuela” Ex-UN Envoy Dilip Sinha Slams US Action In VenezuelaAfter T20 World Cup Move, Bangladesh Now Bans IPL 2026 Broadcast Amid Mustafizur Rahman RowSC Rejects Bail Plea Of Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam; Grants Bail To 5 Others In Delhi Riots CaseRajnath Singh Commissions ICG’s Pollution Control Vessel ‘Samudra Pratap’, Hails Make-In-IndiaShashi Tharoor, Manish Tewari & Salman Khurshid Raise Concerns Over US Attack In Venezuela’Whole Of Jammu And Kashmir Should Be Reunited With India’: British MP Bob Blackman’Can Raise Tariffs Very Quickly’: Trump Warns India Over Russian Oil Imports, Praises PM Modi’Indian Firms Have Long Experience In Dealing With Venezuela Oil’: Expert On Opportunity For India123PhotostoriesHeart health: The big 3 heart numbers to know, as per Harvard experts7 legendary Indian scientists and their contributionsHow to make Paneer Bread Pakoda for evening snacking5 foods that steadily cause hair loss without you knowing about itParing beans with this one staple can give you complete protein5 trending kaleera designs every modern Indian bride is obsessed with right nowKrystle D’Souza, Ayesha Khan to Tamannaah Bhatia: When Bollywood actresses turned special songs into iconic moments9 Arabian desserts that are a must-try in Dubai5 worst foods for your skin, top plastic surgeon revealsRestoring Chennai’s Crown: The Bharat Insurance Building’s Towers, Spires, and Glory Revealed123Hot PicksUS strikes VenezuelaVande Bharat Sleeper TrainPublic holidays January 2026Gold rate todayUmar Khalid BailCigarette tax hikeBank Holidays JanuaryTop TrendingSan Francisco 49ersBrittany MahomesNoah Lyles and Junelle Bromfield Net WorthWayne Gretzky Daughter Net WorthSidney Crosby LifestyleLeBron James vs Stephen Curry Net WorthTom BradyLeBron James WifeCam ThomasCharlie Kirk
NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leader and former Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan on Monday came out in support of New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani for writing a letter to 2020 Delhi riots co-accused Umar Khalid.Chavan said that, as a person of Indian origin, Mamdani had “every right to intervene.”Also Read: Who is he to question? BJP on New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s Umar Khalid note“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. But more importantly, human rights are supreme. So I think there’s no need to panic if he wrote a letter,” Chavan told news agency PTI.The socialist Democrat, New York City’s first Muslim and Indian-origin mayor, is the son of filmmaker Mira Nair and academic Mahmood Mamdani. The 34-year-old was sworn in on New Year’s Day after winning the mayoral election in November last year.In his handwritten note to Khalid, who has been in jail since his arrest in September 2020, months after communal riots rocked the national capital in February that year, 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.”The Supreme Court on Monday rejected the bail pleas of two Delhi riots accused—Khalid and Sharjeel Imam—and granted bail, subject to conditions, to five others. They had challenged the Delhi high court’s rejection of their pleas.Meanwhile, Chavan’s remarks come days after he drew flak for claiming that India was “defeated” on the first day of its four-day conflict with Pakistan in May 2025. He later refused to apologise despite widespread outrage.In July last year, he had also sparked controversy by questioning why anti-terror operations were being given “Hindu names.”
