Washington: Indian origin lawyer Mathura Sridharan has been appointed as Ohio’s 12th Solicitor General, an announcement made by Attorney General Dave Yost’s office on X. The appointment, however, was met with a wave of online criticism, with trolls questioning her nationality and making disparaging remarks about her bindi.
In response to the backlash, Yost fiercely defended Sridharan, praising her legal prowess and confirming her American citizenship. The Attorney General’s office had to clarify that Sridharan is a US citizen, married to a US citizen, and the child of naturalised US citizens. Addressing the vitriolic comments directly, Yost posted, “If her name or her complexion bothers you, the problem is not with her or her appointment.”
He further lauded her as brilliant, citing her success in winning an argument at the Supreme Court of the United States last year and the strong recommendations she received from her predecessors. Yost expressed his confidence that Sridharan, who previously served as a deputy solicitor general, will serve the state of Ohio with distinction.
Sridharan's impressive academic background includes a Juris Doctor from New York University School of Law, which she earned in 2018, and a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from MIT. Her appointment highlights a growing diversity in high-profile government roles, while the immediate online trolling underscores the persistent challenges faced by individuals from minority communities. Yost's resolute defence of her qualifications and character has been widely commended.