New York, USA: New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has written a personal note to activist Umar Khalid, reflecting on his views about “bitterness” and the need to resist being consumed by it. The handwritten message was shared on social media platform X by Khalid’s partner, Banojyotsna Lahiri.
Posting an image of the note, Lahiri wrote, “When prisons try to isolate, words travel. Zohran Mamdani writes to Umar Khalid.” In the message, Mamdani recalled Khalid’s words and expressed solidarity, saying he often thinks about Khalid’s reflections on bitterness and the importance of not allowing it to take over one’s life. He also mentioned meeting Khalid’s parents and conveyed that many people continue to think of him.
Umar Khalid, along with several others, has been booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA), and various sections of the Indian Penal Code in connection with the February 2020 Delhi riots. The violence claimed 53 lives and left more than 700 people injured. Authorities have alleged that Khalid was among the “masterminds” behind the unrest. He has remained in custody for several years without regular bail.
Meanwhile, a group of lawmakers in the United States has written to Indian Ambassador to the US, Vinay Kwatra, urging that Khalid be granted bail and provided a fair and timely trial in line with international legal standards. The letter was signed by eight US Representatives, including Jim McGovern and Jamie Raskin.
In their communication, the lawmakers expressed concern over the prolonged pre-trial detention of individuals charged in connection with the 2020 Delhi violence, including Khalid. They highlighted the longstanding strategic partnership between India and the United States, noting that it is built on shared democratic values, constitutional principles and strong people-to-people ties. As the world’s largest democracies, they said, both countries have a responsibility to uphold freedom, human rights, the rule of law and pluralism.
The lawmakers stated that human rights organisations, legal experts and sections of the global media have raised questions about the fairness of the investigation and legal process in Khalid’s case. They pointed out that Khalid has been held without bail for nearly five years under UAPA, a law that, according to independent human rights experts, may not fully align with international standards of due process, proportionality and equality before the law.
While acknowledging that the matter is currently before the Supreme Court of India, the US Representatives welcomed reports that Khalid was granted temporary bail to attend his sister’s wedding. They urged Indian authorities to extend bail for the duration of the court proceedings and requested information on the steps being taken to ensure that the judicial process meets international norms.
