India denies visa to Indian-American activist
India has twice denied a visa to Indian-American activist Kshama Sawant, preventing her from visiting her ailing mother in the southern Indian city of Bengaluru.
Her 82-year-old mother has been unwell for the past two years.
The former Seattle City Council member alleges that the move is political retaliation by India’s Hindu nationalist government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Sawant believes the denial is linked to her criticism of India’s Citizenship (Amendment) Act.
In 2020, she introduced a resolution in Seattle condemning the Indian law, calling it discriminatory.
Her supporters have launched an online petition urging India to stop targeting activists.
Sawant applied for an e-visa in May and June last year but was rejected.
In January, she sought an emergency visa to attend to ailing mother, but there has been no response.
The Indian consulate in Seattle took her passport but has not returned it.
Indian authorities have remained silent, saying visa decisions are a sovereign matter.
Have Your Say!
Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Please share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@soundvision.com.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a Muslim Network TV’s representative. You can also get in touch in the following ways:
Tweet: @MuslimNetworkTV
We must take charge of our narrative. Research indicates that 92% of their Muslim coverage is negative. Help us change that.
