Umar Khalid’s father recalls meeting Zohran Mamdani in US ahead of activist’s bail
New Delhi: Days before jailed activist Umar Khalid was granted a 14-day bail to attend his sister’s wedding, his father, Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas, met New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani in the United States and discussed Khalid’s prolonged incarceration.
Ilyas in an exclusive interview to NDTV, said he met Mamdani on December 9 for around 25 minutes. The meeting was sought by Ilyas to thank Mamdani for reading Khalid’s jail diary in 2023 and for expressing solidarity with him, NDTV reported on Saturday.
"He said he always thinks about Umar's incarceration and that he must get bail now," Ilyas recalled, adding that Mamdani drew parallels between himself and Khalid for raising issues concerning common people.
During the meeting, Mamdani reportedly wrote a letter to Khalid. “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,” said the note signed by Mamdani.
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Ilyas, who is also a spokesperson of the All-India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), said that when Mamdani asked if he could help further, he replied, “Just pray.” Ilyas said that he was present during the recent arguments in the Supreme Court and hoped that something positive would unfold soon.
Mamdani's letter stirred controversy with BJP leader Gaurav Bhatia calling the case against Khalid an internal matter of India.
Umar Khalid has been in jail for nearly five years in connection with the February 2020 Delhi riots, in which 53 people were killed. He was granted interim bail from December 16 to 29 to attend his sister’s wedding.
US Representatives Jim McGovern and Jamie Raskin and six other lawmakers wrote to the Indian Ambassador to the US Vinay Kwatra, expressing concern regarding the "prolonged pre-trial detention of individuals charged in connection with the February 2020 violence in Delhi,” including Khalid.
The lawmakers said that human rights organisations, legal experts and international media had raised questions about the fairness of the investigation and legal process in Khalid’s case.
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US–Iran first round direct talks conclude in Islamabad: Report
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The first round of direct talks between the United States and Iran, held in Islamabad, has concluded, Al Jazeera reported citing sources close to the development.
According to the report, following the discussions, delegations from both sides agreed to exchange written documents, a move aimed at ensuring clarity and consensus on the understandings reached during the meeting.
Both the Iranian and US delegations arrived in Islamabad on Saturday, April 11, amid high security for the peace talks.
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