Zohran Mamdani Connects with Umar Khalid

In a significant gesture of solidarity bridging New York and New Delhi, Zohran Mamdani has reached out to jailed student activist Umar Khalid. Just days after making headlines as the first Muslim and Indian-origin mayor of New York City, Mamdani’s handwritten note to the former JNU student has surfaced, drawing attention on social media platforms.

A Meeting in the US

The connection was established not directly, but through Khalid's family. According to Banojyotsna Lahiri, Khalid's partner, the activist's parents - Sahiba Khanam and Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas - traveled to the United States in December of last year. Their visit was primarily to meet their elder daughter, who resides in the US and could not attend her younger sister's wedding in India.

During this trip, Khalid's parents met with several prominent figures, including the 34-year-old Democratic Socialist, Zohran Mamdani. It was during this interaction that the newly elected mayor penned a personal message for Khalid, who remains incarcerated in Delhi’s Tihar Jail.

Message Against Bitterness

The note, which has since been shared widely online, reflects on the psychological toll of imprisonment. Mamdani wrote, "Dear Umar, I think of your words on bitterness often, and the importance of not letting it consume one's self." He concluded the message by expressing how pleased he was to meet Khalid's parents and assured the activist, "We are all thinking of you."

Brief Respite for Khalid

While receiving support from abroad, Umar Khalid recently experienced a brief period outside the prison walls. A Delhi court granted him interim bail from December 16 to December 29, 2025, specifically to attend his sister’s wedding.

Lahiri shared that despite the strict bail conditions, which prohibited him from stepping out of his home or using social media, Khalid cherished the time. He spent the fortnight enjoying home-cooked meals prepared by his mother and bonding with his nieces and nephews.

Khalid has been in custody since September 2020 under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) regarding allegations tied to the Delhi riots. Meanwhile, Zohran Mamdani continues to garner global attention, not just for his political victory, but for his engagement with human rights issues globally.

Image Source: @banojyotsna, x post