US Calling: Jaahnavi Kandula’s death triggers nationwide outrage, body cameras, and Biden’s ‘Whole of Government Approach’ to equity

The body camera recording has Auderer laughing and suggesting that Kandula’s life had “limited value” and the city should “just write a check – eleven thousand dollars. She was 26 anyway.” The Police Officer’s Guild has stated that the recording and viral videos failed to provide context and explain the full story. The Associated Press, who reported it, could not immediately verify the details of Auderer’s statement. However, a radio host on KTTH-AM Seattle’s leading Conservative Talk Radio, Jason Rantz, reported that he had obtained a written statement Auderer provided to the city’s Office of Police Accountability. In it, Auderer said that Solan had lamented the death and that his own comments were intended to mimic how the city’s attorneys might try to minimize liability for it. “I intended the comment as a mockery of lawyers,” Auderer wrote, according to KTTH. “I laughed at the ridiculousness of how these incidents are litigated and the ridiculousness of how I watched these incidents play out as two parties bargain over a tragedy.” The station reported that Auderer acknowledged in the statement that anyone listening to his side of the conversation alone “would rightfully believe I was being insensitive to the loss of human life.” The comment was “not made with malice or a hard heart,” he said, but “quite the opposite.”

Jaahnavi would have graduated with a Masters in Information Systems in December 2023. Her mother was waiting for her daughter to support her but instead received her body in a casket. Her Uncle Ashok Mandula of Houston, who made the arrangements, has said, “the family has nothing to say,” “Except I wonder if these men’s daughters or granddaughters have value.” Indian American community leaders describe uneasiness in the community after the incident. Niranjan Srungavarapu, President of the Telugu Association of North America, said South Asians were “…surprised and shocked to hear that kind of treatment of a young girl.”

There have been rallies and candlelight vigils all across the country, from New York City to California, as reported by CNN, ABC, NBC, etc., and there are several videos on YouTube demanding justice for Jaahnavi. On 16th September, the Asian charity ‘Utsav’ brought together Seattle residents and South Asian community members, where Vandana Slatter, a Washington State Democratic house representative, addressed the gathering. Seattle residents also met Police Chief Adrian Diaz, Mayor Bruce Harrell, and Council member Lisa Herbold, who serves as Chair of Public Safety. Mayor Harrell has sent an apology letter to Jaahnavi’s family.

Democrat Ro Khanna, who represents California’s 17th congressional District (Silicon Valley), has articulately said, “Anyone who thinks that a human life has ‘limited value’ should not be serving in law enforcement. Lilly Singh, a popular television host, has called Auderer’s video “disgusting” and “inhumane.” Priyanka Chopra wrote on Instagram that “…A life is a life. One cannot put a value on it.” It’s now learned that the Indian Government has requested President Biden, who has assured a fair investigation. The case is designated as classified before the Office of Police Accountability and is under review by the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

The incident has mobilized outrage in the Indian diaspora and touched a raw nerve in the Asian community. The world’s largest Boy Band, BTS or Bangtan Boys, and UN Youth Ambassadors called on President Biden to highlight anti-Asian hate crimes and discrimination in May, which is observed as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The ‘Stop AAPI (Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders) Hate’ forum, a nonprofit that tracks incidents of hate and discrimination, STAATUS Index Report, found 78% of respondents felt unaccepted, and 52% felt unsafe because of their race or ethnicity. Time Magazine named STOP AAPI’s founders Manjusha Kulkarni, Cynthia Choi, and Russel Jeung among the 100 influential people for 2021.

The Jaahnavi Kandula investigation has already resulted in a review of a policy that allows a Police union official to be involved in an investigation of an officer they represent since Auderer was an elected Vice President of the Seattle Police Officers Guild. Jaahnavi Kandula will be remembered for having brought about this review in policing, and her ‘legacy’ will hopefully be a part of the Police Department’s responsiveness to equity in community policing. And while there’s nothing that can bring solace to her grieving mother, in what is a measure of Jaahnavi’s popularity and the grief of those she left behind, a GoFundMe initiative for her mother, a teacher in India, has surpassed its goal of $125,000.

In closing, it is germane to mention that President Biden has led a “Whole of Government” approach against xenophobia and signed Executive Order 13985 on his first day in office, which directed federal agencies to take a comprehensive approach to advancing equity for all. This is the responsibility of the whole of the US government. That police officers wear body cameras, that the recordings are part of public records that can be requested for public release, and the Office of Police Accountability are evidence of America’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and the rule of law. When a country puts in place processes and safeguards for accountability, it makes me hopeful that the truth will emerge. If the investigation reveals that policy and procedure were not followed, there will be justice for Jaahnavi Kandula. RIP Jaahnavi, and may your soul find moksha.

(The writer is a former IRS officer who lives in the US: https://twitter.com/punamsidhu)