Sat Feb 08 08:59:39 UTC 2025: ## Seattle City Councilmember Denied Indian Visa, Stages Protest at Consulate
**Seattle, WA** – Seattle City Councilmember Kshama Sawant is accusing the Indian government of denying her a visa to visit her ailing 82-year-old mother, claiming her name is on a “reject list” due to her political activism. Sawant, an Indian-American, and several supporters staged a protest at the Indian Consulate in Seattle after her visa application was rejected for the third time.
Sawant alleges the rejection is politically motivated, stemming from her city council’s resolution condemning India’s Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC), and a separate resolution banning caste discrimination. She claims a consular officer confirmed her visa denial was due to being on a list compiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.
While Sawant’s husband was granted an emergency visa to visit India due to the mother’s illness, Sawant’s visa application was repeatedly denied without explanation, leading to the protest at the consulate. The protest, which involved what the consulate described as “aggressive and threatening behaviour,” resulted in the consulate calling local authorities.
The Indian Consulate in Seattle issued a statement condemning the protesters’ actions, characterizing their behavior as unauthorized entry and aggressive conduct towards staff, necessitating police intervention. They stated that further action against the “trespassers” is being pursued. Sawant maintains the protest was peaceful civil disobedience. The incident has sparked a heated debate regarding political motivations behind visa denials and freedom of expression.
First Piper 