Apart from the appeal, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who also wrote a note to Khalid recalling a meeting with his parents. “I think of your words on bitterness often, and the importance of not letting it consume one’s self,” Mamdani wrote.
Eight members of the U.S. Congress have written to India’s ambassador in Washington urging authorities to grant bail and ensure a fair trial for jailed student activist Umar Khalid, saying the proceedings should meet international legal standards.
In a letter dated Dec. 30, the lawmakers asked the Indian government to explain “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”.
Khalid was arrested in September 2020 in connection with a larger conspiracy case linked to the North East Delhi riots and faces charges including criminal conspiracy, rioting, unlawful assembly and offences under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). He has remained in custody since then, with his bail plea pending before India’s Supreme Court.
The letter was led by Democratic Representative Jim McGovern, co-chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, and co-signed by lawmakers including Jamie Raskin, Pramila Jayapal, Jan Schakowsky, Lloyd Doggett, Rashida Tlaib, and Senators Chris Van Hollen and Peter Welch.
“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 said in a post sharing the letter.
The lawmakers said 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”. They added that 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”.
Referring to broader ties, the letter said, “The U.S. and India share a long standing strategic partnership that has historically been rooted in democratic values, constitutional governance and strong people-to-people ties.”
The appeal follows a separate note of support from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who wrote to Khalid recalling a meeting with his parents. “I think of your words on bitterness often, and the importance of not letting it consume one’s self,” Mamdani wrote.
Khalid was granted interim bail last month to attend his sister’s wedding, under conditions restricting travel and social media use.
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