Fri Feb 07 10:31:38 UTC 2025: ## Indian-American Politician Accuses Indian Consulate of Assault After Visa Rejection
**Seattle, WA – February 7, 2025** – Seattle City Councilmember Kshama Sawant has accused staff at the Indian Consulate in Seattle of assault following the rejection of her emergency visa application. Sawant, a prominent socialist politician, claims she and members of her organization, Workers Strike Back, visited the consulate on Thursday to seek clarification on the visa denial, which she attributes to her political activism.
According to Sawant, consulate staff threatened to call the police, attempted to confiscate phones, and physically removed them from the premises. She alleges a physical altercation ensued as they were leaving, resulting in a scuffle and alleged assault by consulate staff.
The Indian Consulate in Seattle released a statement on X (formerly Twitter) acknowledging a “law and order situation” caused by individuals who allegedly entered the premises after closing hours. While the statement avoids mentioning Sawant by name, it alludes to taking further action against those involved. A consular officer reportedly told Sawant her visa was denied because her name was on a “rejection list,” offering no further explanation.
Sawant’s emergency visa application was for a trip to Bengaluru to visit her ailing mother. This is the third time her visa application has been denied, leading her to previously appeal to opposition parties to condemn what she calls an “inhumane agenda” preventing Indian citizens from seeing their families. Sawant suggests her political stances, including a city council resolution condemning India’s Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC), are the reasons for the visa denial.
The incident has sparked controversy, with Sawant alleging political motivation behind the visa rejection and the alleged assault. Local authorities are reportedly investigating the matter.
First Piper 