Dr. Shabana Parvez, MD, FACEP, US Bureau Chief of The Desi Buzz and founder of ArlingtonIntegrative.com, sat down for an exclusive interview with Senator Manka Dhingra, a trailblazing attorney, legislator, and advocate. Born in India and now representing Washington’s 45th District, Dhingra made history as the first Sikh elected to any state legislature in the U.S. A longtime champion for marginalized communities, she co-founded the women’s advocacy organization API Chaya and spent over two decades as a prosecutor, specializing in mental health and veterans’ courts. While her innovative approaches to criminal justice reform have earned widespread praise, she has also faced scrutiny in recent years over her policy positions on law enforcement. In this candid conversation, Dr. Parvez and Sen. Dhingra discuss leadership, representation, and the intersection of public health and public safety.
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Watch the interview on YouTube
Introduction & Background
Dr. Shabana Parvez: Welcome to The Desi Buzz Talk Show, Senator Dhingra! Can you tell us a little about your upbringing and how it shaped your journey into law and public service?
Senator Manka Dhingra: I was actually born in India – which I think surprises many people. My father was an engineer and my mother was a teacher, so I’d describe my upbringing as quite modest. But what really defined me was coming from a family of incredibly strong women – both of my grandmothers were formidable in their own right, always standing up for themselves and others.
When I was 13, my life changed dramatically when my father passed away from cancer. My mother suddenly became a widowed single parent to two young children, and she made the courageous decision to move us to the United States. We settled in Los Angeles, where I grew up.
From a very young age, I knew I wanted to be a lawyer – I devoured Perry Mason books and dreamed of becoming a prosecutor. That passion led me to UC Berkeley for my undergraduate degree and then to the University of Washington for law school. Now, I’ve been happily married for nearly 28 years and we have two wonderful children.
The values instilled in me – particularly the Sikh principles of community service and equality for all people regardless of gender – continue to drive everything I do today. That belief in giving back and fighting for justice is really at the core of all my work.”
Dr. Shabana Parvez: What inspired your transition from being a Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney to entering politics? Was there a defining moment that pushed you toward public office?
Senator Manka Dhingra: Absolutely. I never imagined myself in politics. While my family followed political issues, voted regularly, and identified as Democrats, we weren’t actively engaged beyond that. My professional work involved policy – I focused on therapeutic alternatives to incarceration and domestic violence crisis intervention for Washington State – but I’d always stayed clear of the political arena.
Then came 2017. When Trump won, I was devastated. Here was a man who bragged about sexually assaulting women – after I’d dedicated my career to fighting gender-based violence. A man who mocked people with disabilities – when I’d spent years advocating for mental health services. A man whose rhetoric incited hate – when I’d worked on hate crime cases since 9/11, including the assault of a Sikh cab driver in Seattle.
This felt like a direct attack on everything I stood for. That December, I attended my first Democratic Party meeting – something I’d never done before. There, a friend who’s now Redmond’s mayor took me for coffee and suggested I run for Senate. Like so many women – especially women of color – my immediate reaction was self-doubt: ‘I don’t think I’m qualified.’ She laughed so hard she nearly fell off her chair!
After discussing it with family and friends, several hate incidents in our community became the final push. I realized how crucial it is for people like us – from diverse backgrounds – to hold positions of power. That’s when I knew I had to run.”*
Dr. Shabana Parvez: How did your family and friends react when you decided to run for office, and how have they supported you throughout your journey?
Senator Manka Dhingra: It was truly incredible. I remember sitting around our dining room table with my husband and kids, discussing whether I should run. Without hesitation, they all said, ‘Absolutely—you have to do this!’
At the time, the political stakes were high—Republicans controlled the Washington State Senate, while Democrats held the House. My race had the potential to flip the Senate, making it one of the most closely watched elections that year. The New York Times even covered it, bringing national attention.
We had to have some tough conversations about what this would mean for our family. As a Sikh household—my husband wears a turban—we knew the spotlight would bring added scrutiny. But my family rallied around me. My mother and mother-in-law, both retired and living in California, moved here to help since our kids were still in middle school and a campaign is all-consuming.
The support was overwhelming friends hosted fundraisers, family members donated, and even my mother, who normally wouldn’t answer the door unless she was expecting someone, went out knocking on doors with me. It became a true family effort.
Legal & Criminal Justice Reform
Dr. Shabana Parvez: As a mental health and crisis intervention expert, what do you see as the biggest challenges in addressing mental health within the criminal justice system? What reforms are you pushing for?
Senator Manka Dhingra: That’s such a critical question. As a prosecutor, I saw firsthand how our prisons have become the largest mental health institutions in our country. This reality forces us to ask: Why is this happening? The answer lies in how we treat individuals with mental illness.
The reforms we need must address the entire spectrum of services where mental health and criminal justice intersect. For example:
- I helped develop crisis intervention training for law enforcement, which I taught for over a decade
- In the legislature, I’ve worked to implement Washington’s 988 suicide prevention hotline – now considered the best crisis system in the nation
Effective reform requires:
- Early intervention and detection to provide timely resources
- Proper crisis response channels (calling 988 instead of 911 for mental health incidents)
- A public health approach rather than criminalization
When individuals do enter the system, we must ensure:
- Specialized mental health courts
- Proper medication management in jails/prisons
- 30-day medication supplies upon release to prevent relapse and re-arrest
This comprehensive approach creates stability for individuals with severe mental illness while making our communities safer.
Dr. Shabana Parvez: You’ve played a key role in reforming Washington State’s criminal justice policies. Can you share a specific initiative or law that has made a significant impact?
Senator Manka Dhingra: Yes, as you mentioned, I’ve focused heavily on domestic violence, sexual assault, and trafficking issues. A few years ago, we completely reformed Washington’s protection order system by:
- Consolidating all protection orders under one unified system
- Implementing trauma-informed, best practice approaches
- Creating one of the most effective protection order systems in the nation
We’ve also worked to expand support services for survivors, including:
- Housing assistance
- Legal resources
- Stable funding streams for critical programs
Most recently, I’ve prioritized anti-trafficking legislation, which is especially crucial for Washington because:
- Our multiple ports make us vulnerable to trafficking
- With major events like the upcoming FIFA World Cup, we know trafficking and sexual assault incidents typically spike
- We’re proactively strengthening laws and resources to prevent this pattern and ensure visitor safety
These comprehensive reforms address both immediate protection needs and long-term systemic solutions.
Dr. Shabana Parvez: Bail reform and restorative justice have been hot topics in recent years. What are your thoughts on these issues, and what changes do you believe are most necessary?
Senator Manka Dhingra: In Washington, we haven’t prioritized bail reform recently because our existing system – established years ago – continues to function effectively. Unlike many states currently overhauling their bail systems, ours remains relevant and operational.
Restorative justice, however, has become an important focus. Let me explain what this truly means through a personal example:
When I was young, restorative justice looked like this:
- If you misbehaved in the neighborhood, adults would bring you home
- Families and community members would gather to address the issue
- Solutions focused on accountability and repair, not punishment
I saw this firsthand when my brother – one of few Sikh boys wearing turbans in his middle school – faced severe bullying. In the early 1990s, when a bullied student brought a knife to school:
- The school brought together the students, parents, and principal
- They uncovered the root cause – persistent bullying
- Worked collaboratively to ensure safety for all
- That student is now a successful doctor
Today, this situation would likely result in police involvement and criminal charges. Restorative justice preserves the wisdom of community-based resolution while preventing unnecessary criminalization.
Advocacy Against Domestic Violence
Dr. Shabana Parvez: You’ve been a strong advocate against domestic violence. What are the most urgent policy changes needed to better support survivors and prevent abuse?
Senator Manka Dhingra: So much of this isn’t about policy, it’s about how we, as a community, show up for one another. The most powerful thing we can do as human beings is to believe survivors. When someone tells you they’ve been abused or mistreated, trust them. People don’t make these things up, there’s no benefit to doing so.
Believing survivors is just the first step. We must also stand with them, publicly affirming that this behavior is unacceptable. That, in itself, is a radical shift—one that doesn’t always require new laws, but a change in how we act every day. Survivors need to know: It’s not their fault.
As a legislator, I know not every solution comes from legislation. I often think of Mahatma Gandhi’s words: ‘Be the change you wish to see in the world.’ That’s how we move forward—by refusing to tolerate abuse, sexism, racism, or any form of discrimination. It’s on all of us to call out injustice and stand up for what’s right.
Many survivors struggle with both domestic violence and mental health issues. How can we build a more integrated support system to help them?
Having worked at the intersection of trauma and mental health, I’ve always asked: Why aren’t these systems fully integrated? Survivors often struggle with anxiety, depression, and PTSD—yet mental health care hasn’t been a consistent part of their recovery.
We’re making progress:
- Advocates now regularly connect survivors with mental health resources
- Specialized PTSD support groups for domestic violence survivors are growing
But we’re still far from a truly trauma-informed, mental health-focused approach. The work ahead includes:
- Breaking stigma: In many communities, especially ours, mental health remains taboo. Ironically, COVID helped—it normalized conversations about anxiety and depression.
- Community leadership: Organizations like Indian ICWA’s Lokve (which addresses “what will people say?”) are crucial in changing narratives.
- Systemic integration: We need mental health support woven into every stage of survivor care—not as an add-on, but as a foundation.
The shift starts with simple but radical acts: talking openly, without fear of judgment, until mental health becomes just health.
Leadership & Public Service
Dr. Shabana Parvez: You’ve been recognized as an award-winning PTSA mom. How has being a parent influenced your work in policymaking and advocacy?
Senator Manka Dhingra: Every policy decision ultimately comes back to our children. When we discuss criminal justice reform, the most impactful change we can make is ensuring every child graduates high school—because graduation alone, even with average grades, dramatically reduces their likelihood of entering the justice system.
This requires a fundamental shift:
- Early Intervention: From kindergarten, teachers should understand each child’s circumstances—whether they experience domestic violence, parental mental health challenges, or substance abuse at home.
- Holistic Support: Schools can’t shoulder this alone. We must partner with nonprofits and community organizations to provide wraparound services.
- Diverse Pathways: Not every student will attend college. Vocational training and skill-building opportunities are equally vital for success.
My work on poverty reduction, domestic violence, and mental health all centers on this truth: Adverse childhood experiences shape life outcomes. By addressing these root causes and ensuring every child has the resources to graduate, we prevent crises rather than react to them.
The data is clear—when we invest in making children successful, we build a society where fewer people ever encounter the criminal justice system to begin with.
What role do community leaders and grassroots organizations play in shaping policy, and how do you collaborate with them?
I fundamentally believe the most effective policies come from those doing the work on the ground – they see the problems firsthand and usually know the solutions. My approach has three key parts:
- Listening to Frontline Experts
- The people experiencing challenges often hold the answers
- My role is to amplify their voices and build coalitions around their solutions
- Intentional Inclusion
- Early in my political career, I noticed most coalitions lacked diversity
- I actively identify and invite underrepresented groups to the table
- Example: The Muslim and South Asian communities were often absent from political conversations until we specifically reached out
- Creating Pathways
- Through programs like our legislative page initiative, we’ve brought diverse high school students to Olympia
- You can see the impact on my Facebook – the faces of these young leaders reflect our actual communities
A critical realization: Many in our South Asian community adopt the “model minority” approach – heads down, focused on work. But this is our country too, and we must claim our seat at the table.
The responsibility goes both ways:
- As elected officials, we must proactively invite new voices
- As community members, we need to step forward and engage
My door is always open. Real change happens when everyone has a voice in shaping the policies that affect their lives.
You’ve worked closely with the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, legislators, and the Governor’s office. What does effective bipartisan collaboration look like in today’s political climate?
Women in Leadership & Representation
Dr. Shabana Parvez: As a South Asian woman in politics, what challenges have you faced, and how have you overcome them?
Senator Manka Dhingra: Coming to politics in my 40s gave me an invaluable perspective. I didn’t run for office because it was some lifelong ambition – I ran because I was outraged by what I saw happening to our country and knew I had to act. That difference in motivation shapes everything about how I serve.
For me, politics isn’t about career advancement – it’s about:
- Making tangible differences in people’s lives
- Standing firmly for our shared values
- Refusing to tolerate the nonsense that sometimes comes with this work
My journey as ‘the first’ in many spaces – from being the first South Asian prosecutor to training rooms full of white male officers in my late 20s – taught me the importance of persistence. Age has given me the confidence to say:
- My voice matters
- My life experience brings value
- Women like me belong in these spaces
To every woman considering public service, especially later in life: your perspective isn’t just valuable – it’s essential. The wisdom that comes with age and experience allows us to cut through the noise and focus on what truly matters.”
Dr. Shabana Parvez: What advice would you give to young women, particularly those from diverse backgrounds, who aspire to careers in law, politics, or advocacy?
Senator Manka Dhingra: I would say, follow your passion. Truly take the time to understand why you are doing the work that you’re doing, because when things get hard—and they will—and when challenges arise—and they certainly will—you’ll need to dig deep and remind yourself of your purpose. That sense of purpose is what will carry you through the tough times. It’s that persistence, that inner drive, that will keep you moving forward. Always stay connected to your north star: your passion, your “why.” Keep pushing, because you will get there. Yes, you may have to work twice as hard to get half the credit, and unfortunately, that’s still the reality for many, especially for women and women of color. But we can do it. We will do it. And all of you will too. The more you persevere and succeed, the more you pave the way for the generations who will follow in your footsteps.
Personal Insights & Fun Questions
Dr. Shabana Parvez: Outside of work, what are some of your favorite hobbies or activities that help you unwind?
Senator Manka Dhingra: I love to garden—I love getting my hands in the dirt, growing plants, vegetables, and fruit. It brings me so much joy to see the bees and birds come to the plants; that connection with nature gives me a great sense of peace. I also love practicing yoga, which ties into self-care and mental wellness—both of which I believe are incredibly important. And then, my husband and I love to go dancing together, which is always so much fun and a beautiful way to unwind and connect.
Dr. Shabana Parvez: What’s a book or movie that has inspired you the most? Any favorite TV shows or music playlists?
Senator Manka Dhingra: I’ve always believed in working hard and playing hard – life demands both. While not everyone is fortunate enough to love their job, finding that balance between professional dedication and personal joy is absolutely essential. For me, reading has become that perfect counterbalance to my busy work life. I’m an avid reader, usually immersed in at least two books at a time – from Alice Walker’s profound works to fantasy epics, biographies, and literary fiction. This wide-ranging exploration of different lives and perspectives feels vital, like exercising my capacity for empathy and understanding.
Though I’ll always cherish physical books, I’ve reluctantly switched to ebooks for practical reasons – they allow me to read in bed without disturbing my husband, and let’s be honest, the adjustable font size is a gift as my eyesight changes with age. But the format matters less than the habit itself: that daily immersion in stories and ideas remains my cherished escape and constant source of growth.”
Dr. Shabana Parvez: Finally, what message would you like to share with our audience about leadership, advocacy, and making a difference in their communities?
Senator Manka Dhingra: Thank you so much for having me on your program – this conversation has been truly meaningful. As we conclude, I want to leave our community with this call to action: Now is the time to lean in. Lean into the issues shaping our neighborhoods. Lean into organizations making a difference. Make your voice heard and your presence seen. While our South Asian community has achieved remarkable economic success, we must translate that into greater political engagement and representation. Our voices matter, our perspectives are valuable, and our participation can shape the future. Let’s step forward together.
Dr. Shabana Parvez: Yes, that’s very good advice—excellent, in fact. It’s truly inspiring talking to you. Thank you so much for taking the time to join us on the show. We really appreciate your insights and the energy you brought to the conversation. Hopefully, our paths will cross again sometime soon. Thank you once again!
Senator Manka Dhingra: Absolutely, this was a genuine pleasure – please don’t hesitate to reach out anytime. Thank you!
