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Minnesota Senator mourns death of Indian-origin student
The senator remembered the 20-year-old student as someone who brought people together and made everyone feel welcome.
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Malvika Choudhary - Thu, 18, Jun 2026
- 18:08 EDT
- 135
Raja Chinnakotla / southasia.wisc.edu
Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar expressed condolences on the death of Indian-origin student Raja Anton Chinnakotla, a University of Wisconsin–Madison undergraduate who passed away on June 14 at the age of 20.
In a post on social media, Klobuchar remembered Chinnakotla as a young man who had a gift for bringing people together and making others feel welcome.
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"So saddened by the sudden loss of Raja Chinnakotla. A recent graduate and homecoming king at Edina High School, Raja had a gift for bringing people together and making everyone feel welcome," Klobuchar wrote.
So saddened by the sudden loss of Raja Chinnakotla. A recent graduate and homecoming king at Edina High School, Raja had a gift for bringing people together and making everyone feel welcome.
— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) June 18, 2026
His parents, Ann and Srinath, and his sister Adelle filled his life with joy and love… pic.twitter.com/NWX1pqO7CJ
The senator also extended her sympathies to Chinnakotla's family, adding, "His parents, Ann and Srinath, and his sister Adelle filled his life with joy and love and we are holding the family in our hearts."
According to a local obituary, Chinnakotla was born on Jan. 31, 2006, and was a graduate of Edina High School.
The obituary described him as someone who "possessed a rare and beautiful gift for making his friends feel like family" and as a natural advocate for newcomers and those living on the margins. It said he had a unique ability to look beyond the surface and connect with people from all walks of life.
Family and friends remembered him for his kindness, inclusivity, and ability to make others feel valued.
The obituary noted that he was deeply proud of his Indian heritage and shared his culture through Bollywood dance and participation in Asian American activities. He was also known for his love of travel, music, and exploring new cultures and experiences.
At the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Chinnakotla's academic interests centered on economic history, particularly post-colonial South Asia. He also worked as a peer mentor for the Multicultural Learning Community and served as finance chair for Nakshatra, a student-run Indian classical dance competition.
According to the university's Center for South Asia, Chinnakotla was actively involved in the interdisciplinary study of South Asia and valued opportunities to engage with students and faculty through lectures and academic programs.
The Edina Asian American Alliance said Chinnakotla's family has established the Raja Chinnakotla Memorial Fund in his honor.
In lieu of flowers, contributions to the fund will support children in need and help provide access to activities that reflected his interests, including travel and music. The organization said the fund also seeks to advance his belief that no Edina student should be left behind.
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