Her response came as a coalition of 13 civil rights and interfaith organisations condemned the certificate issued by her office honouring the divisive figure
WASHINGTON D.C. — The Lieutenant Governor of the US state of Rhode Island, Sabina Matos, has strongly condemned the inflammatory and Islamophobic rhetoric of Hindu supremacist leader Kajal Hindustani.
In response to a letter from a coalition of 13 civil rights and interfaith organisations demanding immediate revocation of the official certificate of recognition issued by her office to Kajal Hindustani, the Lieutenant Governor’s office stated that it was unaware of Hindustani’s public record at the time the citation was issued on July 21.
Kajal Hindustani — also known as Kajal Singhala — is a figure widely known for her Islamophobic speeches and promotion of the Hindu supremacist rhetoric.
The letter from the coalition demanded the Lieutenant Governor’s office to withdraw the certificate, publicly condemn Hindustani’s actions and issue an apology to affected communities.
The Lieutenant Governor’s office issued the ceremonial citation recognising Hindustani at the request of the Foundation of Indian Americans of New England (FIA-NE), a Hindu nationalist group. FIA-NE falsely portrayed Hindustani as an advocate for women’s rights, concealing her documented history of hate speech and calls for violence against religious minorities.
In a written response to the Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC), the Lt. Governor’s office stated that it was unaware of Hindustani’s public record at the time the citation was issued.
“The Office of the Lieutenant Governor regularly provides ceremonial citations to community organisations upon request. These citations are symbolic acknowledgments, often recognising cultural celebrations, local accomplishments, or community service. They carry no legal or official weight and do not constitute an endorsement by the Lieutenant Governor or the State of Rhode Island. To my knowledge, we have never declined to provide a citation on request. In this case, the FIA-NE requested several citations ahead of their Indian Independence Day events. Among them was a citation for Kajal Hindustani, described in the request as an advocate they wanted to recognise for service to abused and assaulted women. The citation was prepared accordingly, as part of a batch of ceremonial materials issued this month,” the Lt. Governor’s office explained.
“We were not aware of Ms Hindustani’s public statements or affiliations at the time the citation was issued. In light of the concerns raised, and having reviewed credible reporting about her inflammatory and discriminatory rhetoric, we unequivocally condemn the bigotry and Islamophobia she has expressed. The Lieutenant Governor stands firmly against all forms of bigotry and discrimination, including religious intolerance, and condemns in the strongest possible terms Ms. Hindustani’s hateful rhetoric,” the office added.
The office also expressed regret for the confusion and concern caused by the citation and confirmed that it is currently reviewing its internal processes for issuing such ceremonial acknowledgments.
The coalition, which includes IAMC, Hindus for Human Rights (HfHR), Justice for All, and several other organisations, had expressed shock and disappointment, stating that the honour legitimises a person who has incited violence and hatred against Muslims, Christians, Dalits, and Sikhs in India and abroad.
The letter emphasised that Hindustani’s public record is fundamentally at odds with the certificate’s language, which describes her as advancing public awareness, protecting women, and promoting social harmony.
According to the Centre for the Study of Organised Hate, Hindustani delivered more hate speeches than any other Hindu supremacist figure in 2023 and she continued unabated in 2024. She is accused of promoting the “love jihad” conspiracy theory, urging Hindus to arm themselves against non-Hindus, and calling for economic boycotts targeting Muslims and Christians. Her rhetoric has had real-world consequences, including her arrest in Gujarat for hate speech following a Ram Navami event that turned violent.
Citing multiple incidents, the coalition’s letter noted that New York City Mayor Eric Adams recently withdrew from an event upon learning that Hindustani would be speaking. In Dallas, her call for a Muslim economic boycott led to a police complaint filed by Christian and Muslim leaders, urging an investigation into her remarks as hate speech.
The signatories argued that continuing to honour such a figure undermines the principles of justice and inclusivity that the State of Rhode Island stands for.
