The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has ignited a political controversy by alleging a connection between Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and an 'anti-India' lobby operating in the United States. These accusations emerged after Zohran Mamdani, the newly sworn-in Mayor of New York City, penned a letter expressing solidarity with jailed Indian activist Umar Khalid. The letter, which reportedly followed Mamdani's meeting with Khalid's parents in December 2025, was later shared publicly by Khalid's partner, Banojyotsna Lahiri. Further fueling the BJP's claims, eight US lawmakers subsequently wrote to the Indian envoy, advocating for a fair and timely trial for Umar Khalid, who has been incarcerated since September 2020 under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in connection with the 2020 Delhi riots. BJP spokespersons, including Gaurav Bhatia and Pradeep Bhandari, asserted that these international interventions are part of a broader 'anti-India' campaign. They cited Rahul Gandhi's 2024 meetings in the US with Congress members Janice Schakowsky and Ilhan Omar, both known for their critical stance on certain Indian internal matters, as evidence of Gandhi's alleged ties to this lobby. The BJP presented a timeline suggesting a coordinated effort, linking Gandhi's US outreach to subsequent legislative actions and calls for Khalid's release by these US lawmakers. The Indian government, through the external affairs ministry, has also reacted, stating that foreign officials should focus on their own responsibilities rather than interfering in India's internal affairs.