Kshama Sawant, a former Seattle City Council member known for her activism, has claimed that she has been denied an Indian visa for the third time this year. She intended to visit her ailing mother but asserts that her name is on a “visa reject” list due to her involvement in passing a law against caste discrimination in Washington state.
Originally from Pune, Sawant played a key role in making Seattle the first U.S. city to ban caste discrimination. This decision received mixed reactions—many Dalit activists praised it as a significant step toward equality, while some Indian groups criticized it as an unfair representation of Indian communities abroad. Now, she believes the visa denials are polictically motivated retaliation.
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In response, Sawant and members of her group, ‘Workers Strike Back,’ organized a sit-in protest at the Indian Consulate in Seattle, describing it as “peaceful civil disobedience.” The protest resulteed in consulate officials contacting local police, heightening tensions surrounding the issue. The Indian government has yet to officially address the allegations.
Visa approvals and denials are generally regarded as a sovereign right of a country, with no legal obligation to explain refusals. However, denying someone entry for political reasons—especially when the visit is for personal matters—raises significant concerns about free speech and democratic values.
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Denying an Indian citizen the opportunity to visit her family seems like a severe reaction, particularly when that individual has only advocated for equality. While the caste discrimination law may be contentious, punishing people for their political beliefs sets s troubling precedent.
A country that prides itself on being the world’s largest democracy should not be perceived as silencing dissenting voices. Even amidst political disagreements, preventing an overseas Indian from seeing their sick mother crosses a line that transcends policy–it becomes deeply personal.
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