Hindu diaspora groups rally behind Mathura Sridharan after racist trolling

The criticism erupted after Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced Sridharan’s appointment as Solicitor General of Ohio.

Mathura Sridharan / X

Mathura Sridharan, who was appointed Solicitor General of Ohio on July 31, is receiving strong support from Hindu American groups and diaspora leaders after a wave of racist comments surfaced online targeting her identity and faith.

ALSO READ: Indian-origin Mathura Sridharan named Ohio’s 12th solicitor general

The criticism erupted after Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced Sridharan’s appointment on X, describing her as “brilliant” and someone who “will serve the state well”. Some users questioned her Americanness and mocked her Hindu identity, particularly her wearing of a bindi.

Yost issued a sharp rebuttal, stating that suggestions Sridharan isn’t American are “incorrect”. He added, “If someone’s bothered by her complexion or her name, the problem is with them, not her.”

Following the backlash, diaspora leaders and Hindu organizations rallied behind her.

Cohna, a Hindu advocacy group, posted on X: “It is a proud moment for the Hindu community of Ohio and the United States to see Ms. Mathura Sridharan becoming the state’s 12th solicitor general. And yet, we are also reminded of the blatant Hinduphobia and racism that exists in Ohio and beyond. A mere browsing of the comments under @OhioAG’s post proves the point to all those who deny the existence of anti-Hindu hate. No editing necessary.”

It is a proud moment for the Hindu community of Ohio and the United States to see Ms. Mathura Sridharan becoming the state’s 12th solicitor general.

And yet, we are also reminded of the blatant Hinduphobia and racism that exists in Ohio and beyond. A mere browsing of the… https://t.co/eGKFeUaYGV
— CoHNA (Coalition of Hindus of North America) (@CoHNAOfficial) August 4, 2025

Suhag Shukla, executive director of the Hindu American Foundation, also voiced support: “My friend Mathura Sridharan is a brilliant attorney who argued before SCOTUS, an amazing mother and proud Ohioan. She is Hindu—like many elected leaders, business leaders/professionals & even entertainers in Ohio.”

Referring to the criticism of Sridharan’s bindi, Shukla wrote, “The bindi identifies one as a Hindu, just as a cross pendant might a Christian… We wear them often & racist backlash won’t dissuade us.”

She added, “Mathura will be an incredible Solicitor General and Ohioans will be well represented. Anti-Hindu hate is real, but our traditions are our superpower. We will not be deterred and we move forward in service and with love.”

My friend Mathura Sridharan is a brilliant attorney who argued before SCOTUS, an amazing mother and proud Ohioan.

She is Hindu—like many elected leaders, business leaders/professionals & even entertainers in Ohio.

Her bindi/pottu is a symbol of faith with deep significance. https://t.co/o3jgsEAEVh
— Suhag A. Shukla (@SuhagAShukla) August 4, 2025

Sridharan, who holds engineering degrees from MIT and earned her law degree from NYU in 2018, is Ohio’s 12th Solicitor General. She has argued before the U.S. Supreme Court and is known for her legal acumen.

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