NEW YORK – Indian pride was on display Sunday as tens of thousands took part in the 42nd annual India Day Parade on Madison Avenue. However, this year’s event sparked controversy because organizers allowed a float to join that some criticized as anti-Muslim.
The float in question depicted India’s Ram Mandir Hindu temple, built on the ruins of the Babri Mosque that was destroyed by Hindu activists in the early 1990s.
Dr. Avinash Gupta is the president of New York’s Federation of Indian Associations, which organized the parade.
“The temple was built after 500 years of wait and it was decided by the highest court of the land. Supreme Court decided it,” Gupta said.
Investigation of float called for
Ajit Sahi is advocacy director for the Indian American Muslim Council, which penned letters to parade organizers, the mayor, and even federal officials like Secretary of State Antony Blinken. He is calling for an investigation, citing anti-Muslim hate speech.
Hindus make up about 80% of India’s population, but the country is also home to about 200 million Muslims who have frequently come under attack by Hindu nationalists.
“This float, regardless of who blesses it, is nothing but a symbol of repression, division, persecution, and rampant Islamophobic and anti-Muslim ideology,” said Sahi, who, himself, is Hindu. “It is our argument that this float is being used by the Indian government to inject hate and divisiveness in the United States, especially in New York City.”
It’s clear that the float garnered the attention of parade goers and organizers of the parade said it sent out an important message by keeping it in the parade.
“Unity, diversity, and inclusiveness, and there is no place for hate. We are respectful to all faiths,” Gupta said.
There was a small protest against the float before the parade started. Sahi’s organization decided to back out of it.
“It would look like a protest against India, against Indian independence day, against the parade,” Sahi said.
Parade inspired many in attendance
A protest against India was far from any message displayed at Sunday’s parade.
“We bleed red. It’s like, we’re all made equal,” said Divya Panchal of Jackson Heights, Queens.
The crowd was as loud and lively as the music played and colors worn as those in attendance celebrated 78 years of India’s independence.
“It’s a big achievement for India, like to have a big parade at Madison in New York City,” said Shika Sharma of Stamford, Connecticut.
“It’s amazing. It represents us so much,” Panchal added.
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