| Sunita Viswanath is an American activist with Indian roots, engaged in women’s and human rights work in the USA for over 30 years. She co-founded organizations including Women for Afghan Women, Sadhana: Coalition of Progressive Hindus, and Hindus for Human Rights. Sunita drew attention when Union Minister Smriti Irani highlighted her meeting with Rahul Gandhi and associations with George Soros. |
| She comes from a conservative South Indian Hindu family and lived in Chennai and London during her upbringing. At 19, she moved to the USA for studies. In her mid-20s, she began her career at Sister Fund balancing faith and feminist interests. |
| In 2001, she co-founded Women for Afghan Women and contributed to a book challenging myths about Afghan women. Sunita chaired WAW until January 2022, supporting rights in Afghanistan. She also co-founded Sadhana: Coalition of Progressive Hindus, focusing on social justice and human rights blending faith and activism. |
| Project Prithvi, under Sadhana, promotes environmental awareness, addressing issues like beach clean-ups from Hindu rituals. Sadhana partnered with the Queens Museum of Art for an exhibition on religious items collected during clean-up drives. |
| Sunita is active in Sadhana's Executive Board, Hindus for Human Rights, and advisory roles at Columbia University and Unfreeze Afghanistan. She also supports the Population Media Center, Dalit Solidarity Forum, and collaborative efforts like with the American Muslim Council. |
| Apart from her work, she writes articles critiquing the BJP and has faced controversies like restrictions in Ayodhya. Sunita resides in Brooklyn with her family and has been recognized for her faith-based contributions. |
| Amit Malviya from the BJP IT Cell raised concerns about Sunita's alleged ties to Soros and political involvement. In response, Smriti Irani questioned Sunita's association with Soros during one of Rahul Gandhi's visits to the US. |
