Kshama Sawant, an Indian-American politician, is calling for India’s political opposition to stand up for critics like her. In a recent interview, she pointed out that both India and the U.S. are struggling because their political leaders fail to unite for the working class. This divide has contributed to the rise of leaders like Narendra Modi in India and Donald Trump in the U.S.
Ms. Sawant, a former City Council member in Seattle, shared her frustration about her own visa issues. She has been denied entry to India twice in 2024 to visit her ailing mother. She stressed that it’s essential for opposition parties to boldly condemn actions that prevent families from reuniting. She mentioned, “We need a collective outcry from the political opposition.”
Her comments also touched on other critics of the Modi government. Ashok Swain, an Indian-origin professor in Sweden, lost his visa for allegedly threatening India’s sovereignty. Avani Dias, a journalist, left India after her visa extension was denied while reporting on critical political issues.
Ms. Sawant emphasized the need to address the injustices occurring under harsh immigration policies in both India and the U.S. She recalled how the Trump administration enforced strict anti-immigrant measures, sending undocumented Indians back home forcibly. “There’s a political chill happening, similar to what we see in India,” she argued.
The challenges are personal for Ms. Sawant. Her mother, who is 82 years old, battles several serious health issues. Despite filing an emergency visa application to see her, she received no response. “Emergency visas should be processed quickly, but I feel it’s political retaliation,” she remarked, hinting at the troubling conditions critics face.
After spending ten years in Seattle’s City Council, Ms. Sawant founded “Workers Strike Back,” pushing for higher minimum wages and labor organization in big tech industries. Her advocacy led to Seattle implementing a minimum wage of $15 in 2014, which has since risen to $20.76—the highest in the nation. In contrast, the federal minimum wage has stagnated at $7.25 since 2009.
Ms. Sawant has also championed various progressive measures, including Seattle’s landmark ban on caste discrimination, making it the first city in the U.S. to do so. She criticized U.S. politicians from the Indian diaspora for not actively opposing policies that harm vulnerable communities. It’s a call for change. She believes that unless liberal politicians listen to the needs of ordinary people, right-wing politics will continue to thrive.
“There’s no strong opposition,” she concludes. “What we need is a movement focused on the working class.”
Published – February 06, 2025 11:34 pm IST
Source link
Kshama Sawant,Emergency visa denial,Modi critics denial of visa ,Ashok Swain,Avani Dias
