Eight lawmakers from the United States have penned a letter to Indian Ambassador Vinay Mohan Kwatra, urging India to grant bail and a free trial “in accordance to international law” to Umar Khalid, an accused in a larger conspiracy case related to the 2020 North East Delhi riots.
In the letter dated December 30, 2025, the U.S. lawmakers pledged support to the jailed student activist and sought the government to “share the steps being taken to ensure that the judicial proceedings against Umar Khalid and those of his co-accused who remain in detention comport with international standards’.
This follows another separate letter from newly sworn in Mayor of New York City Zohran Mamdani who penned a note remembering Mr. Khalid and his meeting with Mr. Khalid’s parents.
Speeches of Delhi riots accused triggered violence, ‘choked’ essential supplies, police tells SC
The letter by the U.S. lawmakers was shared by Democrat Jim McGovern, who is also the Co-chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission. The others who had signed on it include Democrat Jamie Raskin, Indian-origin Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, U.S. Representatives Jan Schakowsky, Lloyd Dogget, Rashid Tlaib, and U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen, and Peter Welch.
