The Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday posted a photograph from a 2024 meeting between Rahul Gandhi and United States lawmakers, including Janice Schakowsky – who was among those who wrote to Indian Ambassador to the United States Vinay Kwatra, urging a fair and timely trial for activist Umar Khalid, an accused in 2020 Delhi riots case – as further evidence of the Congress leader’s “anti-India” stance.
Besides Schakowsky, the lawmakers who met Rahul Gandhi included Ilhan Omar, another US lawmaker who in 2022 introduced a resolution that called the US Secretary of State to designate India as a “country of particular concern for alleged violation of religious freedom”.
“Every time an anti India narrative is peddled abroad, one name keeps recurring in the background: Rahul Gandhi,” captioned BJP’s Pradeep Bhandari as he shared the photo on his X handle.
A year after meeting with Rahul Gandhi, Jan Schakowsky reintroduced the “Combating International Islamophobia Act”, explicitly naming India and alleging “crackdowns on Muslim communities,” Bhandari said.
The next year, the “same Jan Schakowsky writes to the Government of India, raising “concerns” over Umar Khalid — an accused under UAPA in serious cases linked to riots and violence”, he wrote.
HOW THE RAHUL GANDHI – ANTI INDIA LOBBY WORKS?
2024:
Jan Schakowsky meets Rahul Gandhi in the United States — along with Anti India Ilhan Omar.
January 2025:
She reintroduces the “Combating International Islamophobia Act”, explicitly naming India and alleging “crackdowns on… pic.twitter.com/1ly4te2Bds
— Pradeep Bhandari(प्रदीप भंडारी)🇮🇳 (@pradip103) January 2, 2026
The Congress nor Rahul Gandhi have responded on the issue so far.
US lawmakers seek ‘fair and timely’ trial for Umar Khalid
Eight US lawmakers, including Jim McGovern and Jamie Raskin have written a letter to Indian Ambassador to the United States Vinay Kwatra, expressing concern regarding the “prolonged pre-trial detention of individuals charged in connection with the February 2020 violence in Delhi,” including Khalid.
Khalid has been charged under the stringent anti-terror law Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA) and provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for allegedly being the “masterminds” of the Delhi riots, which left 53 people dead and more than 700 injured.
“The US and India share a long-standing strategic partnership that has historically been rooted in democratic values, constitutional governance and strong people-to-people ties,” the letter said, adding that as the world’s largest democracies, both nations have an interest in protecting and upholding freedom, the rule of law, human rights and pluralism.
“It is in this spirit” that the lawmakers said they are raising their concerns regarding Khalid’s detention.
Citing human rights organisations, legal experts and global media, the lawmakers questioned the fairness of the investigation and legal process related to Khalid’s detention.
He “has been detained without bail for five years for charges levied under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, which independent human rights experts have warned may contravene international standards of equality before the law, due process and proportionality.”
The US Representatives urged that Khalid should be granted bail and released for the duration of the court’s proceedings.
“With respect for India’s democratic institutions and its role as a key partner of the US, we request that your Government share the steps being taken to ensure that the judicial proceedings against Khalid and those of his co-accused who remain in detention comport with international standards,” the lawmakers said.
What Zohran Mamdani said on Khalid
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has also written a note for Khalid, recalling his words on “bitterness” and the importance of not letting it “consume one’s self.” The note was posted on X by Khalid’s partner, Banojyotsna Lahiri.
“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,” the handwritten note signed by Mamdani said. |
