A group of United States lawmakers has expressed serious concern over the prolonged pre-trial detention of student activist and scholar Umar Khalid, urging Indian authorities to grant him bail. The lawmakers conveyed their concerns in a letter addressed to Vinay Mohan Kwatra, India’s Ambassador to the United States.
In their letter, Members of the US Congress and the US Senate highlighted that Khalid has been incarcerated for nearly five years without trial, a situation they said “raises serious questions about due process, human rights, and India’s obligations under international law.” The development was first reported by The Tribune.
The signatories to the letter include several senior Democratic leaders and prominent voices on human rights and civil liberties. Among them are Congressmen James P. McGovern and Jamie Raskin, Senators Chris Van Hollen and Peter Welch, as well as Congress members Pramila Jayapal, Jan Schakowsky, Rashida Tlaib, and Lloyd Doggett.
Placing their appeal within the broader context of the India–US strategic partnership, the lawmakers emphasized that both countries, as the world’s largest democracies, share a responsibility to uphold democratic values. These include the protection of fundamental freedoms, adherence to the rule of law, respect for human rights, and the preservation of pluralism.
“It is in this spirit that we raise the following concerns,” the letter stated, underscoring that strong bilateral ties should also allow space for candid dialogue on issues of democratic accountability and civil liberties.
The lawmakers referenced the protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), passed by the Indian Parliament in late 2019, which preceded Khalid’s arrest. They noted that a spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights had described the CAA as “fundamentally discriminatory,” a characterization that has been echoed by several international rights bodies.
According to the letter, the manner in which investigations and legal proceedings related to the protests have been conducted has drawn sustained criticism. Rights organizations, legal experts, and international media outlets have repeatedly questioned the fairness and transparency of the process, particularly in cases involving prolonged pre-trial detention.
The lawmakers did not comment on the merits of the charges themselves but stressed that extended incarceration without trial undermines core principles of justice. They argued that granting bail would be consistent with democratic norms and international human rights standards.
The letter adds to growing international scrutiny of India’s handling of cases arising from the anti-CAA protests and reflects increasing concern among global lawmakers about the use of extended pre-trial detention in politically sensitive cases.
While Indian authorities have maintained that legal processes are being followed, the intervention by US legislators signals that the issue has become part of wider international discussions on democracy, civil liberties, and the rule of law in India.
