New York City's new mayor Zohran Mamdani wrote a note of support to jailed human rights activist Umar Khalid, as eight members of the US Congress urged New Delhi to ensure a fair trial in his case under international law.
Mamdani’s note to Khalid -- who has been held in Tihar Jail under UAPA charges linked to the 2020 Delhi riots -- was shared on social media by the former JNU student’s friends. The letter recalled Mamdani’s meeting with Khalid’s parents and expressed solidarity with the jailed activist.
In the note Mamdani wrote: "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."
Meanwhile, eight US lawmakers, including Democrat Jim McGovern -- the ranking member of the House Rules Committee and co-chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission -- who met Khalid’s parents in December 2025, wrote to India’s ambassador to the United States, Vinay Kwatra, expressing concern over his prolonged detention.
In a post on X, McGovern said, "Earlier this month, I met with the parents of Umar Khalid, who has been jailed in India for over 5 years without trial. Representative Raskin and I are leading our colleagues to urge that he be granted bail and a fair, timely trial in accordance with international law."
Others who signed the letter are, Congressman Jamie Raskin, Senator Chris Van Hollen, Senator Peter Welch, Congresswoman Pramila Jaypal, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, Congressman Jan Schakowsky and Congressman Llyod Doggett.
In the letter the lawmakers wrote: "Umar Khalid has been detained without bail for 5 years under UAPA, which independent human rights experts have warned may contravene international standards of equality before the law, due process and proportionality... India must uphold the rights of individuals to receive a trial with reasonable time or to be release and be presume innocent until proven guilty."
"We request that your government share steps taken to ensure that judicial proceedings against Khali and co-accused who remain in detention comport with international standard," it read.
"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.
The lawmakers claimed that human rights organisations, legal experts and global media have raised questions about 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 further added that they understand that these matters are presently under consideration before the Supreme Court of India and welcomed the news that Khalid received temporary bail to attend his sister's wedding. They urged that Khalid be granted bail and released for the duration of the court's proceedings.
Khalid is among more than a dozen activists accused in a case alleging a conspiracy behind the 2020 Delhi violence. Arrested nearly six years ago under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, he is yet to face trial, and his bail plea is pending before the Supreme Court.
Recently, a Delhi court granted Khalid provisional bail from December 16-29 to attend his sister’s wedding, after which he reported back to Tihar Jail.