The workers respond! Activists condemn the alleged attack and refusal of a former member of the Seattle Khama Council member of the Indian Consulate – Mooknayak English

Seattle, Washington – Activists categorically condemned the alleged physical attack on the former member of the City Council of Seattle and Socialist leader Khama Soant of employees of the Indian Consulate. The incident happened after Soant, along with colleagues activists from workers, retreated in a peaceful protest against the repeated denial of their travel visa to India. Soant has been denied a visa three times, including a request for an emergency visa, although her 82-year-old mother is critically ill.

The Indian Consulate in Seattle informed Soant that she was on the “rejection list” but did not provide a reason for her repetitive visa refusals. Meanwhile, her husband Calvin a priest received a visa indicating that the urgency of the case was not in question. Activists claim that this represents political revenge by the BJP government, led by Modi, because of SOant’s voice opposition to its policies, including the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and its intercession to ban caste discrimination in the United States

During her peaceful demonstration at the Indian Consulate Soant and her fellow activists, they claim to have been subjected to intimidation, threats and physical abuse by the consular staff. According to the reports, the most serious disputes happened when activists tried to get out of the premises. Consulate employees allegedly blocked the door, physically encountered with them, and tried to confiscate a phone recording the incident. Even police officers present at the scene are reported against the actions of consular staff.