Zohran Mamdani Writes Letter to Umar Khalid Lodged in Tihar Jail
New Delhi / New York | January 2, 2026 | DeccanLive.com
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani has written a letter to human rights activist Umar Khalid, who is currently lodged in Delhi’s Tihar Jail. Umar Khalid is facing charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in connection with the alleged conspiracy behind the 2020 Delhi violence.
The letter became public on the same day Mamdani took oath as the Mayor of New York. Mamdani made history by becoming the city’s first Muslim mayor and also the youngest mayor in several generations.
The letter was shared on social media by Umar Khalid’s friends. In the message, Mamdani wrote that he often remembers Umar Khalid’s words about not allowing pain, anger, and bitterness caused by injustice to take control of one’s heart. He also mentioned that meeting Umar Khalid’s parents was a meaningful experience and ended the letter by saying, “We are all thinking of you.”
Umar Khalid is among more than a dozen human rights defenders, including student activists and Muslim leaders, who have been accused in the Delhi violence case. It has been nearly six years since his arrest, but his trial has not yet begun.
In 2023, two years before becoming mayor, Mamdani had publicly read Umar Khalid’s writings at an event titled “Democracy? Howdy” in New York. The event took place ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to New York that year. At the time, Mamdani was a member of the New York State Assembly.
During the event, Mamdani said he was reading a letter written by Umar Khalid, describing him as a former JNU student, activist, and scholar who organised campaigns against lynching and hate. He also highlighted that Khalid had been jailed for over 1,000 days under UAPA without facing trial, with his bail pleas repeatedly rejected. Mamdani also mentioned that Umar Khalid had earlier survived an attempt on his life.
The letter has drawn attention in political and social circles and is being seen as a gesture of solidarity linked to human rights and freedom of expression.
