Atmosphere was dangerous, made quick decision: Ranjani on self-deporting from US
Ranjani Srinivasan, a PhD candidate at Columbia University, made headlines recently when she self-deported herself from the United States after her visa was revoked over her involvement in pro-Palestine protests. In an exclusive interview, Ranjani spoke about her decision and the fear that drove her to leave the country.
The 28-year-old Indian student was part of a group of students and activists who protested outside the Israeli embassy in New York City in May. The protest was sparked by the US decision to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a move that has been widely criticized as a violation of international law. Ranjani was one of the protesters who chanted slogans and held signs in support of Palestine.
However, her actions did not go unnoticed. The US government took notice of her involvement in the protest and revoked her visa, citing that she was a threat to national security. Ranjani was devastated by the decision and felt that she was being targeted for her political beliefs.
In an interview with News18, Ranjani said that the atmosphere in the US had become “dangerous” and that she had made a “quick decision” to leave the country. She felt that even a “low-level political speech” or an online post “can turn into a nightmare where somebody’s calling you a terrorist sympathizer”.
Ranjani’s case has sparked widespread outrage and concern among human rights activists and scholars. Many have argued that the US government’s decision to revoke her visa is a clear violation of her right to free speech and assembly.
Dr. Nandini Chakravarti, a historian at Jawaharlal Nehru University, said that Ranjani’s case is a reflection of the growing intolerance and McCarthyism in the US. “The US government is using the Palestine-Israel conflict to demonize and silence any dissenting voice,” she said.
Ranjani’s decision to self-deport has also sparked a wider debate about the US’s treatment of international students and scholars. Many have argued that the US’s visa regime is being used to target and silence scholars who hold dissenting views.
Ranjani’s case is not an isolated incident. In recent years, there have been several instances of international students and scholars being targeted and deported from the US for their political beliefs.
In 2017, a Saudi Arabian student was deported from the US after he was accused of being a member of the Muslim Brotherhood. In 2018, a Pakistani scholar was denied a visa to attend a conference at the University of California, Berkeley, after he was accused of being a supporter of the Taliban.
Ranjani’s case is a stark reminder of the dangers of McCarthyism and the erosion of academic freedom in the US. It is a clear indication that the US government is willing to use its power to silence and intimidate any voice of dissent.
In conclusion, Ranjani’s decision to self-deport from the US is a testament to the fear and intimidation that many international students and scholars face in the US. It is a reminder that even in the land of the free, there are those who are willing to use their power to silence and intimidate.
As we continue to debate the issues of free speech and academic freedom, it is essential that we recognize the importance of protecting the rights of international students and scholars. We must ensure that they are able to exercise their right to free speech and assembly without fear of reprisal.
Ranjani’s case is a wake-up call for all of us. It is a reminder that the US is not immune to the dangers of McCarthyism and that we must be vigilant in protecting the rights of all individuals, regardless of their political beliefs.
