BJP’s ‘anti-India lobby’ attack on Rahul Gandhi over US lawmakers’ letter to India seeking Umar Khalid’s bail

This came after a group of US lawmakers wrote to Indian ambassador to the United States Vinay Kwatra, urging a fair and timely trial for activist Umar Khalid in "accordance with international law.”

• BJP ties Rahul Gandhi's US meetings to anti-India narratives, Islamophobia bill
• US lawmakers urge India to grant bail and fair trial to Umar Khalid
• Congress and Rahul Gandhi have not responded to BJP's claims

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The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday pointed towards Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s 2024 meeting with United States lawmaker Janice Schakowsky, who along with seven other lawmakers, has asked the Indian government to release 2020 Delhi riots case accused Umar Khalid from prison.

Sharing a picture of the leader of Opposition with US lawmakers Janice Schakowsky and Ilhan Omar, BJP’s Pradeep Bhandari wrote, “Every time an anti-India narrative is peddled abroad one name keeps recurring in the background: Rahul Gandhi. Those who want to weaken India, defame its elected government, and dilute its anti-terror laws converge around him."

So far, neither the Congress party nor Rahul Gandhi have responded to the post.

Bhandari, in his post, claimed that Gandhi’s 2024 visit to the United States and his meetings with lawmakers Jan Schakowsky and Ilhan Omar were linked to a bill sponsored by the latter and tabled in January 2025. The legislation, known as the Combating International Islamophobia Act, proposed setting up an Office to Monitor and Combat Islamophobia and related concerns.

Bhandari’s X post began saying: “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 Muslim communities'. Cut to 2026: 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," the post added.

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

This came after a group of US lawmakers wrote to Indian ambassador to the United States Vinay Kwatra, urging a fair and timely trial for activist Umar Khalid in "accordance with international law.”

Khalid and a few others have been booked 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.

Earlier this month, I met with the parents of Umar Khalid, who has been jailed in India for over 5 years without trial. @RepRaskin & I are leading our colleagues to urge that he be granted bail & a fair, timely trial in accordance with international law. pic.twitter.com/tBIbG1aOwc — Rep. Jim McGovern (@RepMcGovern) December 30, 2025

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.