Newly sworn-in New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has written a letter to Umar Khalid, accused in the northeast Delhi riots in a wider conspiracy case and activist currently lodged in Delhi’s Tihar Jail under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
Read also | “Intellectuals when they become terrorists…”: Police on the 2020 Delhi riots case
Mamdani wrote a note reminiscing about Khalid and his meeting with Khalid’s parents. The note was shared on social media by Khalid’s partner Banojyotsna. Mamdani was sworn in as mayor of New York on Thursday.
Here is what Mamdani wrote
In the note, Mamdani said: “I often think of your words about bitterness and the importance of not letting it consume you. It was a pleasure to meet your parents. We are all thinking of you.”
The letter appeared on social media Thursday as Mamdani was sworn in as mayor of New York.
A Karkardooma court in Delhi recently granted interim bail to Umar Khalid to attend his sister’s wedding. Khalid’s sister Ayesha Fatima Syeda got married on 27 December and he was granted interim bail from 16 December to 29 December.
Umar Khalid is hearing a bail application in the Supreme Court.
8 US lawmakers pledge support for Umar Khalid
Meanwhile, eight US lawmakers have now written a letter urging the Indian government to give Khalid a fair trial under international law. The letter, addressed to India’s ambassador to the US-Vinay Kwatra, was written by House Rules Committee member and Human Rights Commission Co-Chairman Tom Lantos, Democrat Jim McGovern, who represents Massachusetts’ 2nd District, and seven other lawmakers.
According to the letter, McGovern and others met with Umar Khalid’s parents earlier in December.
In a post on X, McGovern said, earlier this month I met the parents of Umar Khalid, who has been imprisoned in India for over 5 years without trial. Representative Raskin and I are leading our colleagues to urge his release on bail and a fair and timely trial in accordance with international law.”
Read also | Delhi riots accused Umar Khalid has been granted interim bail by a Delhi court
In the letter, the US lawmakers say: “Umar Khalid has been held without bail for 5 years under the UAPA, which independent human rights experts have warned may violate international standards of equality before the law, due process and proportionality…India must respect the rights of individuals to be released within a reasonable time or to be released and presumed innocent until proven guilty and action taken… detention under international standard.”
Other signatories to the letter include Congressman Jamie Raskin, Senator Chris Van Hollen, Senator Peter Welch, Congresswoman Pramila Jaypal, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, Congressman Jan Schakowsky and Congressman Lloyd Doggett.
2020 Delhi riots
The unrest broke out amid protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and the proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC).
The activists, including Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider and Rehman, were charged under the Anti-Terrorism Act and sections of the former IPC, accused by the authorities of being the alleged “key conspirators” behind the unrest that left 53 dead and more than 700 injured.
Read also | Delhi 2020 riots ‘organised, pre-planned’: Delhi Police tells Supreme Court
I often think of your words about bitterness and the importance of not letting it consume you.
Earlier on 10 December 2025, the Delhi Police, strongly opposing the bail pleas of activists Umar, Sharjeel and others, said that the February 2020 riots were not spontaneous but an “organised, pre-planned and well-planned” attack on Indian sovereignty.
Key things
- The letter highlights the international attention paid to human rights issues in India.
- Mamdani’s message highlights the emotional toll of prolonged imprisonment without trial.
- The involvement of US lawmakers illustrates the global advocacy of Khalid’s case and fair trials.
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