Eight U.S. lawmakers pen letter in support of Umar Khalid; urge India to grant bail, fair trial ‘as per international law’

Eight US lawmakers have written a letter to Indian Ambassador Vinay Mohan Kwatra urging India to grant bail and a free trial “in accordance with international law” to Umar Khalid, who is accused in a larger conspiracy case related to the 2020 North East Delhi riots.

In the letter dated December 30, 2025, US lawmakers pledged support for the jailed student activist and requested the government “share steps taken to ensure that judicial proceedings against Umar Khalid and other defendants who remain in detention comply with international standards.”

This followed another letter from newly sworn-in New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who wrote a note reminding Mr. Khalid and his meeting with Mr. Khalid’s parents.

The US lawmakers’ letter was also shared by Democrat Jim McGovern, who is also co-chair of the Tom Lantos Commission on Human Rights. Signatories of the agreement include Democrat Jamie Raskin, Indian-origin Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, U.S. Representatives Jan Schakowsky, Lloyd Dogget, Rashid Tlaib and U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Peter Welch.

According to the letter, Mr. McGovern and others had met Umar Khalid’s parents in early December. “Representative Raskin and I direct our colleagues to call on him to be released on bail and receive a fair and timely trial in accordance with international law,” his signed letter said. X.

“Umar Khalid was detained without bail for 5 years under the UAPA, which independent human rights experts have warned could be contrary to international standards of equality before the law, due process and proportionality… India must protect the rights of individuals to be tried or released within a reasonable time and to be presumed innocent until proven guilty…” the letter reads.

Zohran Mamdani’s note to Umar Khalid

In his note, Mr. Mamdani wrote: “I often think about your words about resentment and the importance of not letting it consume oneself. It was a pleasure meeting your parents. We are all thinking of you.”

The note, shared on social media by Mr Khalid’s partner Banojyotsna, was delivered to Mr Khalid’s parents when he met them during their trip to the US in December 2025.

Mr Khalid was recently released on temporary bail to attend his sister’s wedding.

The Karkardooma court in Delhi granted him bail from December 16 to December 29. The conditional bail included a clause that he would not use social media and would only meet with family members, relatives and friends. He was ordered to stay at home or at the place where weddings and other ceremonies were to be held.

Mr. Khalid was arrested in September 2020 on charges including criminal conspiracy, rioting, unlawful assembly and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The bail request is pending in the Supreme Court.

With ANI inputs