New Delhi: Indian-American politician Kshama Sawant, a vocal critic of the Narendra Modi government, made headlines on Friday after she and members of her group protested at the Indian consulate in Seattle. The protest stemmed from her being denied an emergency visa to visit her sick mother in Bengaluru. The situation escalated when the consulate issued a tweet describing the incident as an “unauthorised entry by certain individuals,” while Sawant accused the officials of physically assaulting her.
The core of the controversy revolves around the refusal of an emergency visa to Sawant, a former Seattle City Council member, while her husband was granted one. Sawant said that this was the third instance of her visa application being rejected due to her name being on a “reject list.”
NOW: Kshama Sawant and members of Workers Strike Back are engaging in a peaceful sit-in at the Consulate of India in Seattle, demanding answers for why @cmkshama’s visa has been denied a third time, and why she has been told that the Modi government has placed her on a “reject… pic.twitter.com/a7nZk7HUeL
— Workers Strike Back (@wrkrsstrikeback) February 7, 2025
In a detailed post on X, the activist, known for being involved in anti-India activities, criticised Prime Minister Modi and the BJP government for the denial. She has earlier spoken out against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the farmers’ protests.
Who is Kshama Sawant?
Kshama Sawant, born in Pune, earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Mumbai in 1994 before moving to the US to pursue a doctorate in economics at North Carolina State University, graduating in 2003. She worked as an economics lecturer before entering politics in 2006, joining the Socialist Alternative party. Although her 2012 bid for the Washington House of Representatives was unsuccessful, Sawant was elected to the Seattle City Council in 2013. She gained prominence for advocating a USD 15 minimum wage in Seattle.
Sawant has faced backlash from Indian Americans for her criticism of the Indian government and remarks perceived as Hinduphobic. In 2023, she helped Seattle become the first US city to pass a resolution banning caste discrimination, which drew criticism from Hindu Americans. In 2020, she also denounced the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC). Amid her recent visa denial, Sawant has launched an online petition and hinted at legal action.
