Civil Rights and Interfaith Groups Urge Rhode Island Lt. Governor to Rescind Recognition of Hindu Supremacist Leader Kajal Hindustani
Washington, DC (July 28, 2025) – A coalition of 13 civil rights and interfaith organizations has sent a letter to Rhode Island Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos urging her office to rescind a certificate of recognition issued to Indian Hindu supremacist figure Kajal Hindustani.
The certificate, issued on July 21, praises Hindustani for her purported work in “advancing public awareness, protecting women, standing against injustice,” and promoting “social harmony.” These statements are in stark contradiction to Hindustani’s well-documented public record, which includes a pattern of hate speech and inflammatory rhetoric in targeting religious minorities.
In India, Hindustani has been charged for inciting violence at Hindu nationalist rallies. In the United States, her appearances have sparked concern and condemnation from civil rights and interfaith groups. During a July 2025 event in New York City, she made remarks that, according to reporting by The Gothamist, included a call for Indian American Hindus to vote against New York State Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, a mayoral candidate. As a foreign national, her public electioneering constitutes a violation of federal election law, which prohibits non-citizens from participating in any political activity involving U.S. elections.
Even more disturbingly, Hindustani’s remarks suggested a call for Mamdani’s assassination, labeling him a “demon” and declaring that “demons should not be alive.” In response to her scheduled appearance at that same event, New York City Mayor Eric Adams had earlier withdrawn his participation.
In other instances, such as a Dallas gathering, Hindustani has called for the economic boycott of Muslims, prompting formal complaints to local law enforcement from community leaders.
The coalition is calling on Lieutenant Governor Matos to immediately revoke the certificate of recognition issued to Kajal Hindustani and publicly announce this decision. They are also urging her to denounce Hindustani’s record of hate speech and affirm that such extremist ideologies have no place in Rhode Island. The groups are asking the Lt. Governor’s office to issue an apology to Rhode Island’s Indian Muslim, Christian, Sikh, and Dalit communities for this serious lapse in judgment, and to commit to training on Hindu supremacy and its growing presence in the U.S. diaspora.
Here is the full letter.
Letter to Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos's Office
