Last Updated:January 02, 2026, 15:54 IST Umar Khalid has been in jail since 2020 under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. File photo of Umar Khalid (Image: PTI) New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani wrote a handwritten note to jailed activist Umar Khalid, expressing solidarity and recalling Umar Khalid’s reflections on not allowing bitterness to define one’s life. The note was delivered to Umar Khalid’s parents during their visit to the United States in December 2025 and was made public when Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as mayor. In the message addressed to Umar Khalid, Zohran Mamdani wrote that he often thinks of Umar Khalid’s words on bitterness and the importance of not letting it consume a person. He also mentioned meeting Umar Khalid’s parents and added that many people were thinking of him. A photograph of the note was shared on social media by Umar Khalid’s partner Banojyotsna Lahiri. Banojyotsna Lahiri said Umar Khalid’s parents, Sahiba Khanam and Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas, were in the US to visit their daughter ahead of a …