An Indian-American protester, Riddhi Patel (28), has found herself in legal trouble after making severe threats towards a mayor and city council members during a council hearing in Bakersfield, California. Patel’s outburst occurred amidst discussions about the council’s stance on a ceasefire resolution concerning Israel and Gaza, as well as heightened security measures around government buildings due to ongoing anti-Israel protests.
However, it is worth noting that Patel’s actions are not isolated. In the past, she has exhibited a history of abusing Hindu deities and making vulgar remarks about them on social media. This disturbing behavior raises concerns about the increasing Hindu Phobia that is prevalent not only in the West but also worldwide.
Despite the focus of the council hearing on the Israel-Gaza situation, Patel took the opportunity to vent her frustration at the council’s lack of support for the ceasefire resolution. The video of her impassioned speech went viral, with Patel invoking figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Jesus Christ to express her discontent. She accused the council members of negligence towards global oppression, particularly in Palestine, and criticized their indifference towards enhanced security measures.
Patel’s remarks during the council hearing were laden with derogatory statements. She described the council members as “horrible human beings,” and even insinuated that Jesus Christ himself would have condemned them. Additionally, she expressed her disdain for the enhanced security measures by referencing Hindu culture, mentioning the Hindu holiday called Chaitra Navaratri and the tradition of violent revolution against oppressors observed by some in the global south. Patel concluded her speech with a disturbing threat, expressing a hope that someone would bring a guillotine and kill all of them.
She specifically directed her threats towards Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh and other city council members, indicating a deeply concerning level of hostility. Furthermore, Patel claimed that anti-Israel protesters were being unfairly targeted and criminalized through the implementation of metal detectors at government buildings. She argued that these measures were a direct response to people resisting the council’s decisions.
As the mayor called attention to Patel’s threats and signaled the presence of police officers, it becomes evident that her actions carry serious consequences. Patel’s history of abusing Hindu deities on social media, coupled with her alarming outburst during the council hearing, highlights the need for greater awareness and dialogue regarding the rising Hinduphobia that is observed not only in the West but also globally. It is essential that such incidents are addressed and brought to the forefront to foster understanding and promote tolerance among different communities.