Latest news with #MathuraSridharan
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
TOI Bharat Abroad: Hinduphobia in America
Bharat in your inbox — every week. News, views, and stories that matter to the global Indian. Hello and welcome to TOI Bharat Abroad. This week: Mathura Sridharan's appointment in Ohio sparks a fresh wave of Hinduphobia. Arvinder Singh Bahal, 79, prepares for liftoff with Blue Origin. And we honour the late Fauja Singh — marathoner, centenarian, and living proof that faith can outrun time. Let's go. THE BIG STORY Hinduphobia in America The appointment of Mathura Sridharan as Ohio's Solicitor General triggered a wave of Hinduphobic backlash, with trolls targeting her name, complexion, and the bindi she wore — a symbol of Hindu identity. Why it matters: Sridharan's rise highlights how visible markers of Indian or Hindu identity remain targets of bigotry, even at the highest levels of public service. The bindi, once violently attacked by groups like the Dotbusters, continues to provoke hate online. Driving the news: Announced on July 31 by Ohio AG Dave Yost, Sridharan's elevation drew praise for her Supreme Court record — but also racist trolling. Yost defended her forcefully, calling her 'brilliant' and saying critics upset by her name or complexion were the problem, not her. The backlash echoes a familiar pattern for Hindu Americans. From the 1980s Dotbusters to modern-day slurs like 'dot head,' the bindi has long drawn violent and rhetorical attacks — a reminder that old prejudices still fester under new platforms. Read article. NRI Watch Lift Off Arvinder Singh Bahal, a 79-year-old Indian-origin US citizen from Agra, is set to fly to space aboard Blue Origin's upcoming suborbital mission. A licensed pilot and globe-trotter, Bahal has visited every country on Earth and even skydived over Everest and the Pyramids. He joins a diverse six-member crew for the 11-minute flight from Texas, marking Blue Origin's 14th human mission. Read article. Offbeat Life's Marathon At 100 years old, most people would consider slowing down. Fauja Singh, however, chose to speed up – quite literally. The British Sikh centenarian stunned the world by completing marathons well into his 100s. His story is not just a feat of physical endurance, but a living testimony to the Sikh view of life and death: that both are part of an eternal race, one not to be feared, but embraced with courage, humility, and unshakable faith. Read article. IN THE NEWS DID YOU KNOW? SPOTLIGHT INFOGRAPHIC Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
Economic Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Economic Times
E-scooter maker Ather Energy Q1 Results: Co narrows loss to Rs 178 crore
UK to bar universities from enrolling international students over asylum 'back door' abuse Tankers deliver Russian crude to India despite US, EU pressure Mathura Sridharan, Ohio's newly appointed Solicitor General, racially abused, targeted for her 'bindi' He hit me in face with baggage: SpiceJet staffer recounts violent incident with passenger SC asks ex-Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel, son to move HC for relief in liquor scam case Digital media claims 46% of India's Rs 1 lakh crore ad market: Crisil India's tea production dips 9 pc to 133.5 million kg in June Canadian influencer compared Bengaluru rent to NYC, London, Dubai. Weeks later, he shares a surprising update India's palm oil imports drop 10% in July as soyoil hits 3-year high Axis Mutual Fund message to investors after Viresh Joshi's arrest GST evasion of Rs 7.08 lakh cr detected in 5 years, includes ITC fraud of Rs 1.79 lakh cr India's mutual fund industry clocks 7X growth in 10 years, equity funds garner Rs 86K crore in inflows: Motilal Oswal Mutual Fund Study Protest vs protest: Govt prepared for Congress, BJP agitations, says Karnataka HM Parameshwara Stock picks of the week: 5 stocks with consistent score improvement and upside potential of up to 36% in 1 year Best rakhi gift hampers to express love beyond words on this Raksha Bandhan
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Mathura Sridharan, Ohio's newly appointed Solicitor General, racially abused, targeted for her 'bindi'
Mathura Sridharan, an Indian-origin lawyer, has been appointed as Ohio's Solicitor General, marking her as the state's top appellate lawyer. Attorney General Dave Yost praised her legal acumen and Supreme Court success. However, Sridharan faced racist online attacks due to her heritage, prompting strong defense from Yost, who affirmed her American citizenship and qualifications. Disclaimer Statement: This content is authored by a 3rd party. The views expressed here are that of the respective authors/ entities and do not represent the views of Economic Times (ET). ET does not guarantee, vouch for or endorse any of its contents nor is responsible for them in any manner whatsoever. Please take all steps necessary to ascertain that any information and content provided is correct, updated, and verified. ET hereby disclaims any and all warranties, express or implied, relating to the report and any content therein. More
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Indian-origin lawyer named Ohio's new solicitor general
Indian-origin lawyer Mathura Sridharan has been named Ohio's 12th solicitor general, the state's top attorney for appeals in state and federal courts. Mathura Sridharan has been named Ohio's 12th solicitor general(X/@OhioAG) Attorney General Dave Yost said in a statement last week that he proudly selected Sridharan for the role following the departure of her predecessor, Elliot Gaiser, who President Donald Trump tapped to lead the US Department of Justice's Office of Legal Counsel. 'Mathura is a relentless defender of Ohioans, a champion of federalism and legal force to be reckoned with in a courtroom,' Yost said. 'Her brilliant legal mind and masterful understanding of constitutional law make her the obvious choice to lead the team as Ohio's solicitor general.' Housed within the Attorney General's Office, the Office of the Solicitor General represents the state and its agencies on appeals in the US Supreme Court, the US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, the Ohio Supreme Court, and other state and federal courts. 'It is an honour and a privilege to stand up for the rights and freedoms of my fellow Ohioans,' Sridharan said. 'I am profoundly grateful for the trust Attorney General Yost has placed in me to defend our constitutional ideals, advance the rule of law and fight for our federalist system of government.' However, soon after her appointment, several online users slammed her selection, with some directing racist comments on her, including for her wearing a bindi. They said she should not be named to the post. 'The only thing "Mathura Sridharan" should be selected for is a one-way ticket to India,' one online user said. Another said, 'Why would you select someone who isn't an American for such an important role?' 'Do they have anyone in Ohio who doesn't look like an ad for the H1B visa programme?' Another said. Some online users targeted her for wearing a bindi. 'Dot on forehead," one user said. 'This one has a perma-dot, huh," another said. An online user asked if authorities could not find a citizen and native of the United States for the job? 'Nothing says "Ohioan" like a dot right on the forehead," another remarked. Since joining the office nearly four years ago, Sridharan has briefed and argued numerous appeals. In 2023, Yost named her director of Ohio's Tenth Amendment Centre, a division of the office codified in state law to defend Ohioans against unlawful federal policies and to preserve separation of powers between state and federal government. Before joining the Attorney General's Office, Sridharan clerked for Judge Steven J. Menashi of the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and Judge Deborah A Batts of the US District Court for the Southern District of New York. She earned her law degree in 2018 from the New York University School of Law. She also holds a bachelor's and master's degree in electrical engineering and computer science, as well as a bachelor's degree in economics, from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
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First Post
6 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
Who is Mathura Sridharan, Ohio's top lawyer, being trolled for wearing a bindi?
Mathura Sridharan, an Indian-origin lawyer, was appointed Ohio's 12th Solicitor General, making her the state's top appellate attorney. Despite being described by Attorney General Dave Yost as 'brilliant' at her work, Sridharan was subjected to brutal online trolling, with users picking on her race, religion, and even questioning her 'Americaness' read more Mathura Sridharan currently serves as Deputy Solicitor General of Ohio, and also heads the state's Tenth Amendment Center. Image courtesy: X Indian-origin lawyer Mathura Sridharan has been appointed as Ohio's 12th Solicitor General, a role that makes her the state's top appellate lawyer. She will now represent the midwestern state in some of its most important legal battles, including cases before the US Supreme Court and other high-level state and federal courts. Her appointment was announced by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost last week, who had nothing but praise for Sridharan's sharp legal mind and track record in court. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD '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,' Yost wrote on X. But instead of just celebrating the achievement, Sridharan found herself the target of racist and xenophobic trolling online. The hate centred on her Indian heritage, with many questioning why someone with a non-Western name and background should hold such a senior legal post. Some even mocked her for wearing a bindi in her official photo. Thankfully, the backlash didn't go unanswered. The Ohio AG quickly came to her defence, calling out the trolls and reaffirming her qualifications and right to represent the state. So who is Mathura Sridharan? Why did her appointment trigger such reactions? And how did the Attorney General respond? Here's a closer look. Who is Mathura Sridharan? Mathura Sridharan currently serves as Deputy Solicitor General of Ohio, and also heads the state's Tenth Amendment Center, a division focused on defending state authority and pushing back against what it sees as unlawful federal overreach. According to The Federalist Society, a conservative and libertarian legal group with which Sridharan is affiliated, she has led lawsuits aimed at protecting Ohioans from federal policies that allegedly violate the Constitution and disturb the balance of power between state and federal governments. Mathura Sridharan holds a Juris Doctor from the New York University School of Law, along with multiple degrees from MIT. Image courtesy: The Federal Society Her academic credentials are as impressive as her legal work. Sridharan holds a Juris Doctor from the New York University School of Law, along with multiple degrees from MIT, including a Master's in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, and Bachelor's degrees in both Economics and Electrical Engineering & Computer Science. Before joining the Solicitor General's office, she clerked for two prominent federal judges: Judge Steven J Menashi of the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and Judge Deborah A. Batts of the US District Court for the Southern District of New York. Outside of her legal work, Sridharan is trained in Carnatic music, a classical form of music from South India, and has even performed during Chennai's December music season. She has been married to Ashwin Suresh since 2015. Why is Mathura Sridharan being trolled? Soon after the news of her appointment went public, Sridharan found herself at the centre of a wave of online trolling. A number of social media users took issue with her wearing a bindi in her official photo. 'What is that on her forehead?' one user on X asked. While another wrote, 'She's got a permanent dot, huh?' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Some even mocked her name and even questioned her identity as an American. Why would you select someone who isn't an American for such an important role? — ThatGuyFromHS (@ThatGuyFromHS) July 31, 2025 'She's Indian. They all have a loyalty first to other Indians. Horrible pick. Totally un-American. The GOP is pathetic.' And a third comment read, 'No one with the last name 'Sridharan' fought in the US Civil War. She's not an American.' That is not all. Some even trolled her for her religious beliefs. 'Is she a Christian? That's the biggest factor that concerns me. Based on the bindi on her forehead, I worry she is not. That absolutely should matter to us when choosing our leaders. The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord. If someone worships demons, then they are by nature children of wrath and foolish. How can they effectively lead us?' one user wrote. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'The problem is not with her…': Ohio AG responds to the trolling Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost didn't stay silent. In a pointed response, he directly defended Sridharan's appointment and said that she is being wrongly portrayed as a non-American. He added that if Sridharan's complexion or her name is bothering someone, the problem is with them and not her. A few commenters have asserted incorrectly that Mathura is not American. She is a United States citizen, married to a US citizen, and the child of naturalized US citizens. If her name or her complexion bother you, the problem is not with her or her appointment. — Dave Yost (@DaveYostOH) July 31, 2025 'A few commenters have asserted incorrectly that Mathura is not American. She is a United States citizen, married to a US citizen, and the child of naturalised US citizens. If her name or her complexion bother you, the problem is not with her or her appointment,' he wrote on X. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With input from agencies
