Archive · 3 Jan 2026
US Lawmakers Urge India for Fair Trial of Umar Khalid
Eight lawmakers from the United States and New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani have written to the Indian government asking for Umar Khalid, a jailed activist, to be granted bail and a fair trial.
Umar Khalid has been in jail since 2020 for his alleged role in the 2020 Delhi riots.
He is accused of planning protests and inciting violence.
A Delhi court granted him temporary bail in December 2025 to attend his sister's wedding.
The US lawmakers and mayor argue that the evidence against Khalid is weak and that he should be given a fair trial.
The case is still ongoing, and the court has noted that a hurried trial would be detrimental to the rights of both the appellants and the State.
Critics in India argue that foreign intervention in domestic legal matters is inappropriate and that Khalid's case should be handled by Indian legal systems without external influence.
Eight US lawmakers and New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani urged India to grant bail and a fair trial to Umar Khalid.
Umar Khalid has been in jail since September 2020 for his alleged role in the 2020 Delhi riots.
He is accused of planning protests and inciting violence through speeches and WhatsApp groups.
A Delhi court granted him temporary bail in December 2025 to attend his sister's wedding.
The US lawmakers and mayor argue that the evidence against Khalid is weak and that he should be given a fair trial.
- Who
- Umar Khalid, a jailed activist and former JNU student leader
- What
- Eight US lawmakers and New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani urged India to grant bail and a fair trial to Umar Khalid
- When
- Umar Khalid has been in jail since September 2020
- Where
- Delhi, India
- Why
- Accused of being part of a larger conspiracy behind the 2020 Delhi riots
Supporters of Umar Khalid
Critics of US Intervention
Fair Trial and Bail
Supporters of Umar Khalid
US lawmakers and New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani argue that Umar Khalid should be granted bail and a fair trial, citing weak evidence and prolonged detention without trial.
Critics of US Intervention
Critics argue that foreign intervention in India's judicial processes is inappropriate and that Khalid's case should be handled by Indian legal systems without external influence.
Human Rights Concerns
Supporters of Umar Khalid
Supporters highlight concerns about human rights violations and the need for adherence to international standards of due process and proportionality.
Critics of US Intervention
Critics claim that such concerns are politically motivated and aim to defame India's anti-terror laws and judicial processes.
- Umar Khalid
- Jailed activist and former JNU student leader
- Accusations
- Conspiracy in 2020 Delhi riots, inciting communal violence
- Charges
- Rioting, murder, sedition, terrorist acts, criminal conspiracy under UAPA
- Bail Status
- Granted temporary bail for sister's wedding in December 2025
- US Lawmakers
- Eight US lawmakers wrote to Indian government for bail and fair trial
- Zohran Mamdani
- New York Mayor wrote a personal letter to Umar Khalid
- US Congressmen Met
- James McGovern and a few others in Washington DC
- USCIRF
- Identified Khalid and others as victims of freedom of religion or belief violations
Sources
Eight US lawmakers urge Indian govt to grant bail, fair trial to Umar Khalid – What did Zohran Mamdani say?
8 US Lawmakers Seek Bail, Timely Trial For Umar Khalid, Question His Over 5-Year Detention
New York Mayor backs Umar Khalid as Zohran Mamdani seeks bail amid CAA protest cases - Telegraph India
In charge: Editorial on Zohran Mamdani’s historic start as NYC mayor
8 US Lawmakers Seek Bail, Timely Trial For Delhi Riots Accused Umar Khalid
'We Are All Thinking of You': NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani Pens Note For Umar Khalid
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s personal letter to Umar Khalid surfaces: ‘Don’t let bitterness consume you’
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's handwritten letter to Umar Khalid—‘I think of your words on bitterness often…’
"I Think Of Your Words": Umar Khalid's Partner Shares Mamdani's Letter To Him
Umar Khalid case: 8 US lawmakers urge India to ensure fair trial after Zohran Mamdani’s letter
We are all thinking of you: New York City Mayor Mamdani writes a note for activist Umar Khalid
After Mamdani, 8 US lawmakers pledge support for Umar Khalid, urge India to ensure ‘fair trial’
Zohran Mamdani and 8 other US politicians extend support to anti-Hindu Delhi riot accused Umar Khalid, demand his bail: Details
New York Mayor Zoharan Mamdani's letter to Umar Khalid appears online, goes viral
We are all thinking of you: New York City Mayor Mamdani writes a note for activist Umar Khalid
‘We are all thinking of you’: New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani sends note to Umar Khalid
Touches of his South Asian heritage sparked at Mamdani’s inauguration as New York Mayor
Zohran Mamdani thanks family from 'Kampala to Dilli'
BJP's Rahul Gandhi-Anti-India Lobby Jab Over US Lawmakers' Umar Khalid Letter
'We Are All Thinking Of You': New York City Mayor Mamdani Writes A Note For Activist Umar Khalid
US lawmakers write to Indian envoy seeking fair and timely trial for activist Umar Khalid
Mamdani’s Letter To Umar Khalid: What Are The Charges Against Ex-JNU Student In Delhi Riots Case?
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani's Swearing-In Look Has An Indian Connection
After Mamdani, 8 US Lawmakers Pledge Support for Umar Khalid
Why Zohran Mamdani’s handwritten letter to jailed activist Umar Khalid has raised eyebrows in India
US lawmakers write to Indian envoy over Umar Khalid's detention
BJP Links Rahul Gandhi For Anti-India Narrative After US Lawmakers’ Letter on Umar Khalid, Shares Photo on X
US lawmakers write to Indian envoy for Umar Khalid's fair and timely trial in line with international law
Zohran Mamdani’s inauguration: A playlist of many Americas with a Sikh rapper signing off
Mamdani's note for Khalid: India won't tolerate any interference, says BJP
Umar Khalid’s father on meeting Zohran Mamdani—‘He told me he always thinks about Umar’
‘He said he’d like to share a letter’: When Zohran Mamdani penned a note to Umar Khalid
Mamdani’s Note to Khalid: BJP Says India Will Not Tolerate Interference
‘How the Rahul Gandhi–Anti-India lobby works?’ BJP leader breaks down alleged nexus
Mamdani letter row, Umar’s father expresses hope of bail; BJP targets Rahul Gandhi - Telegraph India
Global anti-India forces unite, 8 US lawmakers write letter to ‘free’ Umar Khalid
