Seattle Mayor’s Apology in Response to Jaahnavi Kandula’s Tragic Death
Mayor Bruce Harrell of Seattle has issued an apology in response to the tragic death of Indian student Jaahnavi Kandula in Seattle, USA. The 64-year-old mayor expressed deep apologies on behalf of the city and assured the community and the grieving family that they are taking steps to ensure that the apology resonates deeply.
Mayor Harrell acknowledged that the Indian community has united following unfortunate and insensitive remarks, and he extended condolences for their loss.
The Tragic Incident
Jaahnavi Kandula, a 23-year-old Indian student, was fatally struck by a police vehicle driven by Officer Kevin Dave on January 23. Officer Dave was traveling at a speed of 74 mph (more than 119 km/h) while responding to a report of a drug overdose call.
Bodycam footage released by the Seattle Police Department on Monday showed Officer Daniel Auderer laughing about the tragic collision.
Demand for Justice by the South Asian Community
Over 100 people from the South Asian community in the Seattle area gathered at Denny Park and proceeded to the intersection where Kandula was killed. They held placards with messages such as ‘Jaahnavi had more value than Seattle Police Department’ and ‘Justice for Jaahnavi, jail killer cops.’ The gathering was organized by UTSAV, an organization headquartered in Bothell that fosters connections among South Asians and their communities.
Support from Actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas
Actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas expressed her sadness over the tragic incident, emphasizing that every life is precious. She noted her dismay that the incident, which occurred nine months ago, is only now coming to public attention. Priyanka, who resides in Los Angeles, shared her thoughts on her Instagram Stories.
Assurance of Swift Investigation
The Biden administration has assured the Indian government that they will conduct a swift investigation into the incident and ensure that the police officers responsible for it are brought to justice. The incident has garnered significant attention and demands for accountability, both within the United States and internationally.
