Fri Feb 07 14:30:00 UTC 2025: ## Protest at Seattle Indian Consulate After Politician’s Visa Denial
**Seattle, WA –** The Indian Consulate in Seattle faced a protest Thursday evening after Indian-American politician Kshama Sawant was denied an emergency visa to visit her ailing mother in Bengaluru, India. Sawant, along with members of her organization Workers Strike Back, engaged in a sit-in at the consulate after hours, demanding an explanation for the denial.
According to the Consulate General of India in Seattle, individuals entered the premises without authorization and refused to leave despite repeated requests, leading to a law and order situation that necessitated the involvement of local authorities. The consulate did not elaborate on the nature of the protest beyond stating that participants engaged in aggressive and threatening behavior towards staff.
Sawant claims her visa application has been rejected three times, while her husband received an emergency visa under similar circumstances. She alleges a consular officer told her she was on a “reject list” due to her vocal criticism of the Indian government, citing her past resolutions condemning the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC), as well as a resolution banning caste-based discrimination passed during her time on the Seattle City Council. Sawant has been a prominent critic of the BJP government and its policies.
The incident follows Sawant’s decade-long tenure on the Seattle City Council, where she advocated for progressive policies, including a $25 federal minimum wage. She now leads Workers Strike Back, which continues to push for worker’s rights. The denial of her visa and the subsequent protest have reignited discussions on political dissent and visa processes.
First Piper 