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Diaspora groups criticize Rhode Island Lt. Guv for recognizing controversial activist
Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos issued an official certificate of recognition to Kajal Hindustani.
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Pranavi Sharma - Fri, 01, Aug 2025
- 00:20 EDT
- 138
Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos / Facebook
A group of Indian American and South Asian organizations has formally criticized the office of Rhode Island Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos for issuing an official certificate of recognition to Kajal Hindustani, an Indian activist accused by the groups of making inflammatory remarks against religious minorities.
In a letter sent to the Lieutenant Governor’s office, the coalition expressed “grave concern and deep disappointment” at the decision. They argued that the certificate, which praised Hindustani for advancing public awareness, protecting women, and promoting social harmony, ignores her track record.
According to the letter, “This honor not only legitimizes a dangerous purveyor of hate and violence, but it also undermines the values of justice and human rights that your office is sworn to uphold.” The groups said the recognition sends the wrong message to Indian Muslim, Christian, Dalit, and Sikh communities in Rhode Island and beyond.
The signatories pointed to Kajal Hindustani’s speeches, in which she allegedly promoted conspiracy theories like “love jihad”, used derogatory terms for religious minorities, and encouraged calls for economic boycotts. The letter cited reports from the Center for the Study of Organized Hate stating that Hindustani gave more hate speeches in 2023 than any other Hindu nationalist figure and has continued similar activity in 2024.
Hindustani was previously booked and jailed in India for hate speech following violence at a Ram Navami event in Gujarat, the letter noted. It also referenced a recent incident in the U.S., where New York City Mayor Eric Adams canceled his appearance at an event after learning Hindustani would be present. In Texas, community leaders reportedly filed a police complaint after she called for an economic boycott of Muslims.
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The organizations urged Matos’s office to rescind the certificate, publicly condemn hate speech, and issue an apology to affected communities. They also called for the office to undergo training on Hindu nationalism and its expressions in the diaspora.
The letter was signed by Indian American Muslim Council, Hindus for Human Rights, Justice For All, Dalit Solidarity Forum in the USA, and other advocacy groups.
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