A group of influential United States lawmakers has formally urged the Indian government to release Umar Khalid, a former student activist who has been imprisoned for over three years in connection with the 2020 Delhi riots. The appeal highlights growing international scrutiny of India's use of stringent anti-terror laws in cases involving dissent.
Congressional Letter Raises Human Rights Concerns
In a significant diplomatic move, more than twenty members of the US Congress have signed a letter addressed to the US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti. The lawmakers, led by Representatives Ilhan Omar and Jim McGovern, have expressed serious concerns about the prolonged detention of Umar Khalid under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
The letter, dated April 25, 2024, argues that Khalid's case is emblematic of a broader pattern where anti-terror legislation is used against critics and minorities. The US legislators have requested Ambassador Garcetti to raise this matter directly with the Indian government, emphasizing the importance of upholding democratic values and human rights.
The Case Against Umar Khalid
Umar Khalid, a former PhD student at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), was arrested by the Delhi Police in September 2020. He is one of the key accused in a larger conspiracy case related to the communal violence that erupted in Northeast Delhi in February 2020. The clashes resulted in the deaths of 53 people, with hundreds more injured.
The prosecution's case hinges on allegations that Khalid helped orchestrate the riots. He has been charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and, most notably, under the UAPA, a law that makes securing bail exceptionally difficult. Khalid and his supporters have consistently denied all charges, framing his imprisonment as politically motivated.
His bail pleas have been repeatedly rejected by trial courts and the Delhi High Court. The matter is now pending before the Supreme Court of India, with the next hearing scheduled for July 2024.
International Repercussions and India's Stance
This congressional intervention is not an isolated event. It reflects a growing chorus of international human rights organizations and foreign diplomats who have questioned the application of the UAPA in cases involving activists, journalists, and students. The letter from US lawmakers is likely to add a new layer of complexity to India-US diplomatic relations, which are otherwise strengthening on strategic and economic fronts.
The Indian government has historically maintained that its legal processes are independent and that laws like the UAPA are essential tools for national security. Officials have previously dismissed external commentary on internal legal matters as interference in India's sovereign affairs. A response from the Ministry of External Affairs is anticipated following formal diplomatic communication.
The development puts a spotlight on the delicate balance between national security and civil liberties. As the legal battle continues in India's highest court, the international advocacy for Khalid's release ensures that this case will remain under intense global scrutiny, testing the resilience of India's judicial and diplomatic frameworks.
