In support of NYC Mayor Mamdani, eight US lawmakers urge India to grant Umar Khalid bail and a fair trial in the Delhi riot case

In a letter to the Indian ambassador, eight US lawmakers, led by Jim McGovern and Jamie Raskin, request bail and a fair trial for Umar Khalid, who has been jailed for more than five years under the UAPA in connection with the 2020 Delhi riots. This comes after a private message of support from New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Ongoing international demands for justice for India's human rights issues.

Activist Umar Khalid was arrested in September 2020 under charges like criminal conspiracy, rioting, unlawful assembly and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). File | Photo Credit: PTI

Eight well-known US lawmakers have written a letter with strong words to Indian diplomat Vinay Mohan Kwatra, demanding that activist Umar Khalid be granted bail and a "fair and timely trial in accordance with international law." This comes during a new round of international investigation of India's handling of high-profile detention cases. Just a few days into 2026, this development follows on a separate personal statement of support from just sworn-in New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, which highlights rising worries over extended pre-trial detention under the strict Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

The bipartisan group, which is led by Democratic Representatives Jim McGovern (Massachusetts) and Jamie Raskin and consists of Senators Chris Van Hollen and Peter Welch as well as Representatives Pramila Jayapal, Rashida Tlaib, Jan Schakowsky, and Lloyd Doggett, voiced "grave concern" about Khalid's more than five-year jail term without a full trial. Khalid, a former student leader at Jawaharlal Nehru University who was detained in September 2020, is accused of being part of a "larger conspiracy" that led to the 2020 riots in North East Delhi that killed 53 people, the majority of whom were Muslims.

The lawmakers said that independent human rights experts have noted that the UAPA's application in certain situations may violate international laws on fairness, equality before the law, and due process. The letter reads, "India must uphold the rights of individuals to receive a trial within a reasonable time or to be released and presumed innocent until proven guilty," and it asks for information on how Khalid and his co-accused would be in line with international standards.

The letter was posted on X by McGovern, co-chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, who mentioned that he had met Khalid's parents in December 2025. "Umar Khalid has been detained without charge or trial in India for more than five years. He wrote, "@RepRaskin and I are leading our colleagues to urge that he be granted bail and a fair, timely trial."

This legislative push comes just after Khalid received a passionate handwritten note from Zohran Mamdani, the new mayor of New York City. The letter was made public on January 1, 2026, the day Mamdani was sworn in as the city's first Muslim and South Asian mayor. It says, "Dear Umar, I think of your words on bitterness often, and the importance of not letting it consume one's self." Meeting your family was nice. Everyone is considering you. During their visit to the US last month, Mamdani—a Democratic Socialist with a track record of supporting human rights—met Khalid's family.

In a rare break from his otherwise continuous jail time, Khalid was granted temporary interim bail from December 16–29, 2025, to attend his sister's wedding. Despite accusations from human rights organizations including Amnesty International that the lawsuit is based on suspicious evidence related to his anti-CAA protest statements, his normal bail request is still pending before the Supreme Court.

These actions highlight difficulties in US-India relations over human rights problems, even as bilateral ties expand on commerce and security, even though the Indian government has not yet publicly replied to the legislators' letter. While some claim it connects to foreign interference in domestic legal affairs, Khalid's supporters see the worldwide voices as a light for justice.

These calls from across the Atlantic, from Capitol Hill to City Hall, intensify discussions on minority rights, disagreement, and due process in the largest democracy in the world while Khalid's case continues. Will they have an impact on the current proceedings? Many people are keeping a close eye on the question.

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