A social media post by Indian-American politician Jennifer Rajkumar sparked controversy after she described herself as the first Hindu American to be elected to office in New York State, with some users questioning her claim and even her name.Rajkumar is a Democratic member of the New York State Assembly. He wrote onShe also posted “Taking the High Road,” an April 12, 2026 discussion in Long Island City with Rajkumar and Hindu American Foundation Executive Director Sohag Shukla, addressing the challenges faced by Hindu Americans.
Her statement sparked mixed reactions. “Jennifer is not a Hindu name,” one social media user commented.
Another user defended the lawmaker and said she played a role in promoting Diwali in the US: “New York State Assemblywoman Jennifer Rajkumar is credited with being the first Indian woman elected to office in New York State. She is the first leader in terms of Diwali being a public school holiday in New York City.
Her inspiration led me to make Diwali a state holiday for CT.Rajkummar made history in November 2020 when she won election to the New York State Assembly. Her win marked the first time a South Asian woman had been elected to government office in New York.I was born and raised in Queens. Rajkumar is the daughter of immigrants from India who arrived in the United States with only $300 and a suitcase. She is the first member of her family to be born in the country.Before assuming elected office, Rajkumar built his career as a lawyer, academic, and public servant. She previously served as New York State’s director of immigration affairs, where she led a $31 million initiative to help immigrants access legal services. She also worked as a civil rights attorney, handling class action cases involving workers, tenants, and women.In addition to her work, she served as a senior advisor to the transition team of then-New York City Mayor Eric Adams.Rajkumar studied at Stanford Law School and graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania. Over the years, she has received numerous recognitions, including the Bella Abzug Award from the New York County Democratic Party and the “40 Under 40” Rising Star Award from City & State.
