New York. Umar Khalid is in jail under UAPA since 2020 in a case related to Delhi riots. Recently in December, he was granted brief interim bail to attend his sister’s wedding, after which he has now gone back to jail. Meanwhile, in America too, concerns have intensified regarding the long detention of Omar Khalid and other Muslim activists. Eight MLAs, including American MP James P. McGovern, have written a letter to the Indian Ambassador seeking intervention in this matter. New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has sent an emotional hand-written letter to jailed Indian activist Omar Khalid, expressing his support for him.
Indian-origin Muslim leader Mamdani has created a stir at the international level through this initiative, with him taking oath as mayor on January 1, 2026. This letter has come to light at a time when Umar Khalid’s companions and family members are continuously raising their voice against his long detention. In his letter, Mayor Mamdani praised the courage of Omar Khalid and wrote that he often remembers his words in which he was told not to let bitterness dominate him. Mamdani wrote this note after meeting Omar’s parents who visited America in December 2025. He clarified in the message that he and his supporters are thinking about Omar. This letter has been shared by Omar’s friend Banojyotsna Lahiri on social media. This is not Mamdani’s first support towards Omar, earlier in 2023 also he had read Omar’s letter written from jail in a public program and described him as a personality fighting against hatred. In their letter, American lawmakers have raised questions on the impartiality of the investigation and said that human rights organizations have not found any evidence that links Omar to terrorism. He has urged the Indian government to adhere to international human rights conventions and ensure speedy trial or release. These steps by the Mayor of New York and American lawmakers have once again brought Omar Khalid’s case into the center of international discussion.
