Washington D.C. – A handwritten letter has created a poignant connection between New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and jailed activist Umar Khalid, bridging a distance of 11,700 kilometers with words of solidarity and remembrance. The gesture underscores the growing international attention surrounding Khalid’s detention and the circumstances of his incarceration.
Historic Mayor Reaches Out to Jailed Activist
The connection between Zohran Mamdani Umar Khalid became public when the newly sworn-in mayor personally delivered a handwritten note to Khalid’s parents during their visit to the United States in December 2025. Mamdani, who made history as New York City’s first Asian American and Muslim mayor at age 34, met with Khalid’s parents—Sahiba Khanam and Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas—during their trip.
In the letter addressed directly to the detained activist, Mamdani wrote: “Dear Umar, I think of your words on bitterness often, and the importance of not letting it consume one’s self. It was a pleasure to meet your parents. We are all thinking of you.”
The note was shared publicly on Thursday by Khalid’s partner, Bunojyotsana Lahiri, coinciding with Mamdani’s official swearing-in ceremony as mayor. The timing of the revelation added symbolic weight to the gesture, connecting the celebration of democratic leadership with concerns about individual liberty.
Context Behind the Meeting
According to Lahiri, the meeting between Zohran Mamdani Umar Khalid’s parents occurred during a family visit to the United States. Khalid’s parents had traveled to meet their elder daughter, who lives in the US and was unable to attend the wedding of their youngest daughter back in India.
“They met Mamdani and a few others in the US and spent quite some time with him. That’s when he wrote this note,” Lahiri explained. The extended conversation between the mayor and Khalid’s parents provided an opportunity for personal connection and discussion about the activist’s situation.
The Zohran Mamdani Umar Khalid exchange reflects a deeper engagement with issues of civil liberties and justice that transcends geographical boundaries, highlighting how cases of alleged political detention attract international attention and concern from elected officials abroad.
Khalid’s Current Legal Situation
Umar Khalid has been incarcerated since 2020 under sections of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), facing charges related to the 2020 Delhi riots. His prolonged detention without trial has become a focal point for human rights organizations and legal experts questioning the fairness of the investigative and judicial processes.
In December, Khalid received interim bail to attend his sister’s wedding, providing a brief respite from incarceration. However, the bail conditions were restrictive, as Lahiri noted: “Umar spent all his time at home as his bail conditions did not allow him to step out.”
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Despite the limitations, the time at home proved meaningful. “But it went by so fast as it did the two times earlier he was out on bail. He had home-cooked food which his mother often fed him and he spent a lot of time with his nieces and nephews,” Lahiri recalled. Khalid has since returned to jail following the expiration of his interim bail.
Previous Connection Between the Two
The relationship between Zohran Mamdani Umar Khalid predates this recent letter. In 2023, during an event in New York, Mamdani publicly read from a letter written by Khalid. The activist’s words focused on his conscious effort to avoid bitterness despite his circumstances and to maintain a larger perspective on his situation.
This previous public reading demonstrates Mamdani’s sustained interest in Khalid’s case and his willingness to use his platform to bring attention to issues of justice and detention. The mayor’s reference in his recent note to thinking “often” about Khalid’s “words on bitterness” confirms the lasting impact of that earlier correspondence.
Growing International Concern
The Zohran Mamdani Umar Khalid connection exists within a broader context of international scrutiny. Congress member James P McGovern has written to India’s ambassador to the United States, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, expressing concern over the pre-trial incarceration of individuals charged in connection with the 2020 Delhi riots.
In his letter, McGovern stated: “For allegedly instigating the violence, authorities issued charges against Umar Khalid and other Muslim rights defenders. Human rights organisations, legal experts, and global media have raised questions about the fairness of the investigation and legal process.”
McGovern further noted: “Independent investigations conducted by reputable human rights groups did not find evidence linking Mr. Khalid to terrorist activity.” He reminded India of its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to uphold individuals’ rights to receive a “trial within a reasonable time or to be released” and to be presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Symbolic Significance
The gesture connecting Zohran Mamdani Umar Khalid carries symbolic weight beyond the personal message. The Zohran Mamdani Umar Khalid letter represents solidarity across borders, the power of elected officials to highlight human rights concerns, and the ongoing international dialogue about civil liberties, detention without trial, and the principles of justice that transcend national boundaries.
As Mamdani begins his historic tenure as New York City’s mayor, his connection to Khalid’s case signals a willingness to engage with complex international human rights issues while maintaining personal compassion for individuals caught in legal controversies.
