A row has erupted on social media after members of the public criticised New Jersey Transit board member Shanti Narra for attending a recent operations committee meeting remotely rather than in person.
Posts shared on X included one claiming that Narra was “born in Hyderabad, India” and asserting, “Looks like incompetent Indians are at least one of the reasons NJ Transit is worthless.”
That post also urged “DEI: Deport Every Indian.”
Others said: “She is the worst board member in NJ Transit history and is now only showing up REMOTELY. If you can’t show up in‑person, don’t log in and RESIGN from the board!”
The comments sparked debate over board attendance expectations and raised questions about appropriate conduct when responding to public officials.
Shanti Narra is a long‑serving public figure in New Jersey. She was born in Hyderabad, India, and moved to the United States with her family when she was two years old. She was raised in North Brunswick, New Jersey, and graduated from high school there in 1985. Ms Narra holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Foreign Service and a JD from Georgetown University Law Centre.
Before her appointment to the NJ Transit board, Narra had a career as a public defender with the Legal Aid Society in New York City, where she tried criminal cases and served in union leadership roles.
She was also the first South Asian Freeholder in New Jersey.
The NJ Transit Operations and Customer Service Committee held its regularly scheduled meeting on Friday. According to the official NJ Transit website, the session was livestreamed and included discussion of operational matters and customer service issues.
