Ria Chakrabarty
@riachia93.bsky.social
By day: directing policy at Hindus for Human Rights (@hfhr.bsky.social) and setting up Hindus for Human Rights Action (@hfhraction.bsky.social)
By night: writing about pop culture and politics at https://substack.com/@popculturegeopolitcs
By night: writing about pop culture and politics at https://substack.com/@popculturegeopolitcs
Pinned
Hearts, Minds, NRIs
Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge isn't actually about the Indian diaspora
open.substack.com
I’ve been writing a series about how to understand Indian identity via Shah Rukh Khan films. Here’s the first piece on Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge
open.substack.com/pub/popcultu...
open.substack.com/pub/popcultu...
In Delhi, the air is unbreathable, the water is contaminated, and there’s no serious policy discussion on these issues, let alone solutions.
January 12, 2026 at 3:33 AM
In Delhi, the air is unbreathable, the water is contaminated, and there’s no serious policy discussion on these issues, let alone solutions.
My only opinion on this whole Jasmine Crockett kerfuffle is that I think she’s the wrong JC to run for Senate in Texas. No, it’s not Jesus Christ either.
January 11, 2026 at 3:09 AM
My only opinion on this whole Jasmine Crockett kerfuffle is that I think she’s the wrong JC to run for Senate in Texas. No, it’s not Jesus Christ either.
Reposted by Ria Chakrabarty
As hard as Schumer got burned by capitulating on the shutdown his first time around, I think it's going to be 100x worse if Senate Dems don't take a stand on defunding ICE in the upcoming budget fight.
January 10, 2026 at 7:12 PM
As hard as Schumer got burned by capitulating on the shutdown his first time around, I think it's going to be 100x worse if Senate Dems don't take a stand on defunding ICE in the upcoming budget fight.
Reposted by Ria Chakrabarty
Rep. Nima Kulkarni of Louisville, who was born in India and immigrated to the U.S. as a child, would be banned from office in Kentucky if this was enacted. She called these bills “antithetical to everything that we would consider essential to a healthy democracy.” #kyga26
A Republican lawmaker has filed two bills designed to ban naturalized Americans and those with dual citizenship from serving in local or state elected offices in Kentucky — including one fellow legislator he serves with. From @sylviaruthg.lpm.org #kyga26
Immigrant citizens would be barred from local, state offices in Kentucky under proposed bills
A Republican lawmaker has filed two bills designed to keep naturalized Americans and those with dual citizenship from serving in local or state elected offices in Kentucky.
www.lpm.org
January 8, 2026 at 10:44 PM
Rep. Nima Kulkarni of Louisville, who was born in India and immigrated to the U.S. as a child, would be banned from office in Kentucky if this was enacted. She called these bills “antithetical to everything that we would consider essential to a healthy democracy.” #kyga26
In 2018, @jayapal.house.gov and @pocan.house.gov introduced a bill to abolish ICE. They should reintroduce that bill
January 8, 2026 at 1:09 AM
In 2018, @jayapal.house.gov and @pocan.house.gov introduced a bill to abolish ICE. They should reintroduce that bill
Reposted by Ria Chakrabarty
head of chiquita banana wanting to ask the forbidden question now that trump is overthrowing governments for oil companies
January 5, 2026 at 3:00 AM
head of chiquita banana wanting to ask the forbidden question now that trump is overthrowing governments for oil companies
Reposted by Ria Chakrabarty
amazing how the entire machine can pivot within 24 hours. no need to slowly upsell the argument; just issue new marching orders
January 5, 2026 at 6:50 AM
amazing how the entire machine can pivot within 24 hours. no need to slowly upsell the argument; just issue new marching orders
Reposted by Ria Chakrabarty
RIP Dick Cheney, you would have finally found something to like about the Trump presidency (illegally overthrowing a government for oil)
January 3, 2026 at 10:56 AM
RIP Dick Cheney, you would have finally found something to like about the Trump presidency (illegally overthrowing a government for oil)
Reposted by Ria Chakrabarty
Umar Khalid has spent 5+ years jailed without trial—a stain on any democracy. We welcome this Congressional push urging bail and a fair, timely trial in line with international law. Due process isn’t optional. Free Umar Khalid. #FreeUmarKhalid #ReleasePoliticalPrisoners
Earlier this month, I met with the parents of Umar Khalid, who has been jailed in India for over 5 years without trial. Congressman Raskin & I are leading our colleagues to urge that he be granted bail & a fair, timely trial in accordance with international law.
December 31, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Umar Khalid has spent 5+ years jailed without trial—a stain on any democracy. We welcome this Congressional push urging bail and a fair, timely trial in line with international law. Due process isn’t optional. Free Umar Khalid. #FreeUmarKhalid #ReleasePoliticalPrisoners
Reposted by Ria Chakrabarty
Can't wait to make hajj to mamdanistan
January 1, 2026 at 7:58 PM
Can't wait to make hajj to mamdanistan
🔥🔥🔥
Mamdani: For too long, those fluent in the good grammar of civility have deployed decorum to mask agendas of cruelty
January 1, 2026 at 8:10 PM
🔥🔥🔥
Umar and his co-accused are some of the most important, courageous thinkers in India today. So grateful to see Rep McGovern, Rep Raskin, and their colleagues call for Umar’s release
Earlier this month, I met with the parents of Umar Khalid, who has been jailed in India for over 5 years without trial. Congressman Raskin & I are leading our colleagues to urge that he be granted bail & a fair, timely trial in accordance with international law.
December 31, 2025 at 12:16 AM
Umar and his co-accused are some of the most important, courageous thinkers in India today. So grateful to see Rep McGovern, Rep Raskin, and their colleagues call for Umar’s release
Reposted by Ria Chakrabarty
Earlier this month, I met with the parents of Umar Khalid, who has been jailed in India for over 5 years without trial. Congressman Raskin & I are leading our colleagues to urge that he be granted bail & a fair, timely trial in accordance with international law.
December 30, 2025 at 10:25 PM
Earlier this month, I met with the parents of Umar Khalid, who has been jailed in India for over 5 years without trial. Congressman Raskin & I are leading our colleagues to urge that he be granted bail & a fair, timely trial in accordance with international law.
Sorry to offend, but most religious scholars interrogate sacred texts more than self-avowed Marxists interrogate Marx
December 28, 2025 at 5:10 AM
Sorry to offend, but most religious scholars interrogate sacred texts more than self-avowed Marxists interrogate Marx
If it’s a story about James A Garfield, I will cry.
December 25, 2025 at 9:25 PM
If it’s a story about James A Garfield, I will cry.
Reposted by Ria Chakrabarty
Just want to add: Being convicted of a crime in the U.S. wouldn’t justify sending someone to a foreign gulag to be tortured, and arguably violates separation of powers since the “sentence” they are legally bound to serve is one issued by a judge, not Stephen Miller (i.e. the factoid is irrelevant)
Bari Weiss lied in her memo. She said segment didn't report administration's legal justification (it does in the very first sentence) and didn't say how many detainees had been charged with crimes as opposed to just those who were convicted (it does). www.muellershewrote.com/p/watch-the-...
WATCH: The 60 Minutes CECOT Segment
I was sent the CECOT segment anonymously in a group chat.
www.muellershewrote.com
December 23, 2025 at 12:41 AM
Just want to add: Being convicted of a crime in the U.S. wouldn’t justify sending someone to a foreign gulag to be tortured, and arguably violates separation of powers since the “sentence” they are legally bound to serve is one issued by a judge, not Stephen Miller (i.e. the factoid is irrelevant)
Reposted by Ria Chakrabarty
The CBS 60 Minutes Doc confirms what we knew: The U.S. is currently using our tax dollars to imprison brown people with no criminal record in torture camps overseas.
It’s no wonder administration shill Bari Weiss pulled this off the air: www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjY7...
It’s no wonder administration shill Bari Weiss pulled this off the air: www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjY7...
CANCELLED 60 MINUTES CECOT DOC
YouTube video by eoin higgins
www.youtube.com
December 22, 2025 at 11:39 PM
The CBS 60 Minutes Doc confirms what we knew: The U.S. is currently using our tax dollars to imprison brown people with no criminal record in torture camps overseas.
It’s no wonder administration shill Bari Weiss pulled this off the air: www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjY7...
It’s no wonder administration shill Bari Weiss pulled this off the air: www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjY7...
Remembering adults telling kids to not take God’s name in vain when saying “Oh my God” at the evangelical daycare I went to (it was attached to a mega church in TX)
Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas...$70 per ticket.
December 19, 2025 at 11:18 PM
Remembering adults telling kids to not take God’s name in vain when saying “Oh my God” at the evangelical daycare I went to (it was attached to a mega church in TX)
Reposted by Ria Chakrabarty
Here's the data on the Hindu American Foundation, a US-based group that adores when researchers like me discuss their RSS links.
They may hem and haw, but the data here designates "conclusive" links.
They may hem and haw, but the data here designates "conclusive" links.
December 11, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Here's the data on the Hindu American Foundation, a US-based group that adores when researchers like me discuss their RSS links.
They may hem and haw, but the data here designates "conclusive" links.
They may hem and haw, but the data here designates "conclusive" links.
Reposted by Ria Chakrabarty
Good piece by @yashicadutt.bsky.social on the Garg's recent statements and the reaction from Indian Americans, especially given the former's support for figures like Usha Vance and Trump. A few thoughts (hopefully I'll write something later)...
yashicadutt.substack.com/p/zarna-garg...
yashicadutt.substack.com/p/zarna-garg...
Zarna Garg and the myth of the Indian American monolith
What the latest comments by one of the most popular Indian American stand up comics reveal about our culture
yashicadutt.substack.com
December 7, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Good piece by @yashicadutt.bsky.social on the Garg's recent statements and the reaction from Indian Americans, especially given the former's support for figures like Usha Vance and Trump. A few thoughts (hopefully I'll write something later)...
yashicadutt.substack.com/p/zarna-garg...
yashicadutt.substack.com/p/zarna-garg...
I mean…
Trump rages that Henry Cuellar didn’t pay him back for a pardon by switching parties, blasting Cuellar for a “lack of LOYALTY.”
In other words, Trump admits he was trying to use his pardon power to buy Republicans a House seat.
In other words, Trump admits he was trying to use his pardon power to buy Republicans a House seat.
December 7, 2025 at 3:45 PM
I mean…
Reposted by Ria Chakrabarty
Breaking News: A grand jury is said to have declined to re-indict Letitia James, rejecting a Trump effort to revive a criminal case.
Grand Jury Said to Decline to Re-Indict Letitia James
After a judge dismissed the Trump administration’s first attempt to indict the attorney general of New York State, a new grand jury effort failed, according to people familiar with the matter.
nyti.ms
December 4, 2025 at 11:40 PM
Breaking News: A grand jury is said to have declined to re-indict Letitia James, rejecting a Trump effort to revive a criminal case.
The FBI (under Biden!) were raiding Cuellar’s house on Super Tuesday! The charges were not thin, and if you think Cuellar is staying a Democrat just because you play along with this joke, idk what to say.
Jeffries claims the charges against Cueller were "very thin" and says Trump's pardon was "exactly the right outcome"
December 3, 2025 at 9:49 PM
The FBI (under Biden!) were raiding Cuellar’s house on Super Tuesday! The charges were not thin, and if you think Cuellar is staying a Democrat just because you play along with this joke, idk what to say.
In a way, he’s the ultimate Hindutva guy bc he drools over Modi while using anti-Semitism and Islamophobia to hit out at Indian Americans
December 3, 2025 at 9:45 PM
In a way, he’s the ultimate Hindutva guy bc he drools over Modi while using anti-Semitism and Islamophobia to hit out at Indian Americans
Reposted by Ria Chakrabarty
I would say this is gutter racism but frankly the gutter racists are not this fucking bizarre about it. it takes a special kind of brain to talk about human beings like you're introducing a new species of beetle to an ecosystem.
December 3, 2025 at 5:39 PM
I would say this is gutter racism but frankly the gutter racists are not this fucking bizarre about it. it takes a special kind of brain to talk about human beings like you're introducing a new species of beetle to an ecosystem.