Seattle: High drama unfolded at the Indian consulate in Seattle after it rejected an emergency visa request from Indian-American politician and former Seattle City Councilor Kshama Sawant, who was seeking to visit her ailing mother in Bengaluru. While her husband, Calvin Priest, was granted the visa, Ms. Sawant’s application was denied without explanation, leading her to stage what she termed a “peaceful civil disobedience” inside the consulate.
Ms. Sawant alleged that consulate staff physically assaulted her and her colleagues when they attempted to leave after demanding a reason for the repeated visa rejection. “They threatened to call the police on us instead of answering our questions. As we were leaving, a staff member physically fought me while I was holding the door open,” she claimed.
The consulate, however, accused her of unauthorized entry, tweeting, “Despite repeated requests, these individuals refused to leave and engaged in aggressive behavior. We were compelled to call local authorities.” Three police cars arrived, prompting Ms. Sawant and her supporters to leave.
Ms. Sawant’s e-visa applications were denied twice in 2024. She has alleged political bias, citing her vocal opposition to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and support for India’s farmers’ protests. She has urged Indian opposition parties to condemn what she calls “an inhumane agenda” that prevents citizens from reuniting with their families.
