The lawmakers said their appeal followed recent interactions with Umar Khalid’s family and growing concerns around the length of his detention
WASHINGTON DC — After newly sworn in Mayor of New York Zohran Mamdani on Thursday wrote a letter of support to student activist and former research scholar at Jawaharlal Nehru University Umar Khalid, eight US lawmakers have now written a letter urging the Indian Government to grant him a fair trial as per international law.
Umar Khalid is an accused in the 2020 Delhi riots larger conspiracy case and is behind bars for over five years without trial.
The lawmakers addressed their letter to India’s Ambassador to the United States, Vinay Kwatra. They said their appeal followed recent interactions with Khalid’s family and growing concerns around the length of his detention.
The letter is led by Democrat Jim McGovern, Ranking Member of the House Rules Committee and Co-chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, who represents Massachusetts’ 2nd District. Seven other members of Congress joined him.
According to the letter, McGovern and his colleagues met Umar Khalid’s parents earlier in December. Soon after, McGovern shared details of the meeting in a post on X.
“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,” McGovern wrote.
In their letter, the lawmakers raised concerns about Khalid’s continued detention under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
“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,” the letter said.
It added: “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.”
The lawmakers also requested information on steps taken by Indian authorities to ensure that proceedings against Khalid and other co-accused meet international judicial standards.
The letter follows a personal note written by New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who was sworn in on Thursday. Mamdani had earlier written to Khalid, recalling his meeting with the latter’s parents. The message was shared on social media by Khalid’s partner, Banojyotsna.
“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,” Mamdani wrote.
Among the other US lawmakers who signed the letter are Congressman Jamie Raskin, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, Senator Peter Welch, Senator Chris Van Hollen, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, Congressman Jan Schakowsky and Congressman Lloyd Doggett. — With Inputs from Agencies
