After Mamdani, 8 US lawmakers pledge support for Umar Khalid; ask India to grant him ‘fair trial’

WASHINGTON: After newly sworn-in Mayor of New York, Zohran Mamdani, wrote a letter of support to Umar Khalid, an accused in the North East Delhi riots larger conspiracy case, eight US lawmakers have now written a letter urging the Indian government to grant Khalid a fair trial as per international law.

Ranking Member of the House Rules Committee and co-chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, Democrat Jim McGovern, who represents the 2nd District of Massachusetts, and seven other lawmakers penned the letter addressed to India’s Ambassador to the US, Vinay Kwatra.

Earlier this month, I met with the parents of Umar Khalid, who has been jailed in India for over 5 years without trial. @RepRaskin & I are leading our colleagues to urge that he be granted bail & a fair, timely trial in accordance with international law. pic.twitter.com/tBIbG1aOwc

— Rep. Jim McGovern (@RepMcGovern) December 30, 2025

As per the letter, McGovern and others had met Umar Khalid’s parents earlier in December. 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.”

In the letter the US Lawmakers say, “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.”

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.

The letter follows another message from Zohran Mamdani penned a note remembering 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 New York Mayor on Thursday.

Zohran Mamdani writes to Umar Khalid.
December 2025. #FreeUmarKhalid #FreeAllPoliticalPrisoners pic.twitter.com/QTYe06cRp5

— banojyotsna … (@banojyotsna) January 1, 2026

In the note, Mamdani said, “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.”

Recently the Karkardooma Court in Delhi had granted provisional bail to Umar Khalid to attend his sister’s wedding. Khalid’s sister Ayesha Fatima Syeda got married on December 27 and he was granted interim bail from December 16 to December 29.

Umar Khalid has been chargesheeted in the riots conspiracy case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). His bail plea is pending before the Supreme Court. (ANI)