Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) alumnus and social activist Umar Khalid has been in jail for a long time. After this, demand is being raised at the international level to release Umar Khalid. Where a letter written by New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani to Omar Khalid is going viral on social media. On the other hand, 8 US MPs have written a letter to the Indian government, appealing to grant bail to Umar Khalid as per international law and give him a fair trial.
8 MPs have written a letter to the Indian Ambassador in Washington, putting pressure on New Delhi regarding the continued detention of social activist Umar Khalid. Umar Khalid has been in jail for more than 5 years without trial under India’s anti-terrorism law.
MPs raised questions
Jim McGovern, Jamie Raskin, Chris Van Hollen, Peter Welch, Pramila Jayapal, Jan Schakowsky, Rashida Tlaib and Lloyd Doggett wrote this letter together. This letter was written under the leadership of MPs Jim McGovern and Jamie Raskin. Emphasizing respect for India’s democratic institutions, the MPs raised questions about how Umar Khalid’s prolonged arrest under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) is in line with international legal standards.
He has also sought answers as to why his trial has not started yet even after more than 5 years have passed since his arrest.
Met with Umar Khalid’s parents
McGovern has also posted about this on social media. He said that he had met Umar Khalid’s parents in Washington. He wrote, Earlier this month I met the parents of Umar Khalid, who has been imprisoned without trial in India for more than 5 years.
He further said that he and Raskin, along with their fellow MPs, are demanding bail and trial for Omar Khalid under international law.
Why was the arrest made?
Former Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student leader Umar Khalid was arrested in September 2020 on alleged conspiracy charges related to the 2020 Delhi riots. 53 people died in these riots. Prosecutors allege that he was part of a wider conspiracy to incite violence, although Omar Khalid has consistently denied these allegations.
The Delhi court has repeatedly rejected his regular bail pleas, although he has been granted interim bail for some time due to family reasons. Recently, in December 2025, he got short-term release to attend his sister’s wedding.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani also wrote a letter
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani also wrote a letter to Omar Khalid. This letter is going viral on social media these days. There is no mention of any date in this. In this letter, Mamdani said, Omar, I often think of your words on bitterness and remember the importance of not allowing it to dominate us. It was great to meet your parents. We are all thinking about you.
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