Ohio AG Dave Yost Defends Solicitor General Mathura Sridharan Against Xenophobic Backlash
Columbus, Ohio — Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and local civil rights advocates are speaking out after a wave of xenophobic responses erupted following the appointment of Mathura Sridharan as the state’s 12th Solicitor General.
Promoted on July 31, Sridharan, a native of Ohio, is being recognized for her significant contributions to the attorney general’s office. Despite her qualifications and achievements, some social media users questioned her citizenship and criticized her for wearing a bindi, a traditional and spiritual symbol commonly worn by Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist women.
The backlash was swiftly condemned by the Ohio Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-OH). Executive Director Khalid Turaani issued a strong statement supporting Sridharan’s right to express her religious and cultural identity, citing the importance of diversity in strengthening democracy.
“Symbols like the hijab, yarmulke, cross, or bindi reflect our nation’s cultural fabric,” said Turaani. “We stand in solidarity with Ms. Sridharan and reject any form of racism or xenophobia.”
Attorney General Yost defended Sridharan’s credentials, affirming her status as a U.S. citizen, and denouncing the criticism based on her name or appearance as unacceptable.
“If her name or complexion bothers you, the problem is not with her, it’s with you,” said Yost.
Yost also described Sridharan as a “genius” and highlighted her legal victories and leadership. Since joining the attorney general’s office, she has argued before the U.S. Supreme Court and led the Ohio Tenth Amendment Center, protecting state sovereignty and ensuring federal accountability.
The role of Solicitor General involves representing Ohio and its agencies in high-profile legal appeals, including cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Ohio Supreme Court.
Sridharan’s promotion has become a focal point in the ongoing dialogue about diversity, inclusion, and the role of cultural expression in public institutions across Ohio.
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