A group of US lawmakers, including Jim McGovern and Jamie Raskinhas, sent a letter to India’s ambassador to the United States, Vinay Kwatra, calling for a fair and timely trial of activist Umar Khalid “in accordance with international law”.
The eight lawmakers expressed concern over the “long pre-trial detention of those accused in connection with the February 2020 Delhi violence”.
Khalid and several others were charged under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA) along with provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for allegedly being the “masterminds” of the Delhi riots that claimed 53 lives and injured over 700.
The lawmakers said: “With respect for India’s democratic institutions and its role as a key partner of the US, we ask your government to share the steps taken to ensure that the trial of Khalid and his co-accused, who remain in custody, meets international standards.”
“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 countries share a common interest in protecting freedom, the rule of law, human rights, and pluralism.
“In that spirit,” the lawmakers said they were expressing their concerns about Khalid’s detention.
Lawmakers said human rights groups, legal experts and international media questioned the fairness of the investigation and trial in Khalid’s detention.
They noted that he “has been held without bail for five years on charges brought under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, which independent human rights experts have warned may violate international standards of equality before the law, due process and proportionality”.
US officials also said they were aware the matter was currently being heard by India’s Supreme Court and welcomed news that Khalid had been granted temporary bail to attend his sister’s wedding.
They further called for Khalid to be released on bail and released pending trial.
Mamdani’s note to Khalid
Meanwhile, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani also wrote a letter to Khalid, referring to his thoughts on “bitterness” and the need to ensure it does not “consume itself”.
The note was shared on X by Khalid’s partner Banojyotsna Lahiri.
“Dear Umar, 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,” read the handwritten note signed by Mamdani.
