NYC Mayor Writes to Umar Khalid; US Lawmakers Demand Bail

• NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani sent a handwritten letter to Umar Khalid, expressing solidarity and recalling his words on not letting bitterness overcome him.
• Mamdani handed the letter to Khalid's parents during their US visit in December 2025, shared by Khalid's partner Banojyotsna Lahiri.
• Umar Khalid has been imprisoned since 2020 under UAPA for alleged involvement in the Delhi riots, recently granted interim bail for his sister's wedding.
• Eight US lawmakers, including Jim McGovern and Jamie Raskin, wrote to the Indian Ambassador, questioning Khalid's prolonged detention without trial.
• Lawmakers emphasized India's responsibility under ICCPR for timely trials or release, and presumption of innocence.

Why It Matters: International figures are raising concerns over Umar Khalid's prolonged detention and demanding his bail.