US: Anti-Hindu, Pro-Hamas Indian-American Woman Riddhi Patel Arrested After Giving Death Threats To Bakersfield City Council Members

An anti-Hindu American-Indian pro-Hamas protester was arrested and charged after she threatened to "kill" a mayor and city council members during a local council hearing in California's Bakersfield. 

Riddhi Patel (28), expressed her frustration at the council members for not backing a ceasefire resolution against Israel in Gaza and for tight security measures outside government buildings due to the anti-Israel protests in the US.

In a video that has now gone viral on social media, Patel was seen threatening to kill Bakersfield council members, including Republic Mayor Karen Goh.

The threats were made in response to the council's failure to pass an anti-Israeli resolution and increasing building security amid pro-Hamas protests in the city.

Patel, who faces 16 felony counts, also cited Mahatma Gandhi and Navaratri during her speech.

She added that "Jesus Christ would have probably" killed all council members for not backing the resolution.

"You guys are all horrible human beings and Jesus probably would have killed you himself. And none of you care because you guys don't care about anything happening in Palestine or any other country where oppression occurs," Patel said.

"You guys don't care about the oppression happening here," she said.

"...You guys, those who votes to win in Bakersfield, parade Gandhi around and a Hindu holiday called Chaitra Navaratri that starts off this week. I remind you that these holidays that we practice, that other people in the global south practice, believe in violent revolution against their oppressors," she said.

Patel added, "And I hope one day, somebody brings the guillotine and kills all of you m***********."

She claimed that anti-Israel protesters were being "criminalised with metal detectors", and said, "We'll see you at your house, we’ll murder you," directing her threats at Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh and the city council members.

On the instructions of the Republican Mayor Karen Goh, the pro-Hamas ‘activist Riddhi Patel was escorted out of the Bakersfield city council meeting by the police.

She was reportedly arrested on Wednesday (10th April) night on eight felony counts for threatening with intent to terrorise and eight counts for threatening the Mayor and Bakersfield city council members.

After the video of her went viral on social media, several users pointed out that she had made Hinduphobic comments in the past.

US based advocacy group Hindu American Foundation (HAF) denounced her statement.

We are outraged that this person invokes Gandhi & Chaitra Navaratri while threatening to murder Bakersfield city leaders. The escalation of antisemitic rhetoric from anti-Israel demonstrations into terroristic threats is a horrific reality that we condemn. It must stop now," the HAF said.

HAF executive director Suhag Shukla slammed her for using Hindu festivals as props.

"We are hearing from many Hindu Americans in Bakersfield city. Heartbroken that this person, raised in their tight knit community, uttered such hateful words," she said.

"From ripping off posters of hostages to unhinged rants & now death threats using Hindu festivals as props, too many Indian Americans have engaged in vile antisemitic displays. The pro-Hamas movement is a virus that has infected many communities, and sadly, ours is no exception. This must change," she added.

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