Indian-American politician Kshama Sawant has alleged that her India visa application was rejected three times without explanation, while her husband was granted an emergency visa to visit her ailing mother.
In a series of posts on X, Sawant stated that officials at the Indian consulate in Seattle informed her that her name was on a “reject list” but refused to provide any reasons. She and members of the activist group Workers Strike Back staged a peaceful demonstration at the consulate, demanding an explanation for the repeated denials.
The Indian consulate, however, claimed that Sawant and others engaged in “aggressive and threatening behaviour” and refused to leave the premises after office hours, prompting them to call local authorities. The consulate stated that further action was being taken against the trespassers.
Sawant, a former Seattle City Council member and a member of the Socialist Alternative party, has been vocal about economic inequality and workers’ rights. She played a key role in implementing Seattle’s $15 minimum wage. Born in Pune, she has previously spoken about her early exposure to economic disparities in India, which shaped her socialist beliefs.
