Why is Mathura Sridharan, Ohio's new solicitor general, being trolled?
Indian-origin lawyer Mathura Sridharan, recently appointed as Ohio's 12th Solicitor General, has become the target of online trolling, much of it laced with racism and xenophobia.
Her appointment, announced on July 31 by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, sparked a wave of derogatory comments questioning her Americanness and mocking her cultural identity, particularly her choice to wear a bindi.
Yost, however, stood firmly by his decision. Sharing the news on X (formerly Twitter), he praised Sridharan's brilliance and qualifications: 'Mathura is brilliant… she won her argument at SCOTUS last year.
Both the SGs she worked under (Flowers & Gaiser) recommended her. I told her when I originally hired her I needed her to argue with me. She does… All the time! Excited to promote her. She will serve Ohio well.'
Source: The Federalist Society
Despite her impressive credentials, some corners of the internet chose to focus on her heritage and appearance rather than her legal record. A particular point of contention was her wearing of a bindi, a traditional mark worn on the forehead, which for centuries has held cultural, spiritual, and aesthetic significance in South Asia.
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One user wrote, 'Well, the dot is discreet, but ultimately still visible.' Another commented, 'Why the f*** are you hiring some dothead pooja?'
The comments didn't just stop at the bindi but one user even commented on her skin complexion, 'That jaundice doesn't look too good'.
The Bindi: A mark of identity
The bindi, sometimes referred to as a tikli, is far more than a decorative accessory. Rooted in Hindu traditions, it once symbolized everything from marital status to religious beliefs and caste.
Spiritually, it's long been considered the ajna chakra—the point of consciousness or the third eye—in ancient Hindu philosophy.
Traditionally made with vermilion, sandalwood paste, or sacred ash, the bindi has evolved over time. By the 20th century, it was common to use waxy substances like Vaseline to affix the red dot, while stencil-like bindi papers allowed wearers to experiment with geometric precision and ornate designs.
Today, the bindi has expanded beyond its religious connotations, becoming a global fashion statement embraced by many, though often not without controversy.
Sridharan's wearing of the bindi isn't an anomaly or act of defiance; it's simply a visible connection to her roots. Yet, in a political climate that increasingly scrutinizes identity, even such subtle expressions of culture can be weaponized.
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