By Ritu Jha-
The Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC) and several other human rights organizations have raised concerns against the inclusion of an anti-Muslim float at the India Day Parade scheduled to be held in New York City on August 18, 2024. The proposed float for the parade that has angered the human rights outfits highlights the illegal demolition of the Babri Mosque. The allegations have been refuted by the event’s host, the Federation of Indian Associations. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America also has condemned the assertion of IAMC and blamed it for mischaracterizing the float as anti-Muslim.
In a letter to NYC Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams, IAMC, along with 21 other human rights organizations, have stated that the event — organized by the far-right Hindu group Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHPA), in collaboration with the Indian consulate, alongside Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) and the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) — “poses a grave threat to the values of inclusivity and tolerance that New York City and the state of New York proudly uphold”.
“Allowing such a hateful and bigoted celebration in NYC is an affront to American values and to harmony and peaceful coexistence among our diverse communities. It emboldens Hindu extremists to advance their supremacist agenda in the United States and glorifies acts of violence, injustice, and discrimination against Muslims. We implore you to take immediate and decisive measures to prevent the inclusion of a polarizing and divisive float in the parade. It is imperative to protect our diverse communities from such divisive and inflammatory actions and ensure that New York remains safe and welcoming for all its residents,” the human rights groups have urged.
“The VHPA, an offshoot of India’s Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), has been designated as a militant religious organization by the Central Intelligence Agency’s (CIA) World Factbook. Georgetown University’s Bridge Initiative also identifies VHPA as an Islamophobic group. Savera, a research project run by a coalition of civil rights groups, identifies the VHPA as a key part of a global far-right ecosystem due to its collaborations with other supremacist organizations and ideologies, and their attacks on US civil society organizations. Moreover, BAPS is under active FBI investigation for forced labor and exploitation of low-caste laborers from India. These organizations plan to use the 42nd Annual India Day Parade to propagate hate and instill fear among American Muslims by featuring a divisive float of the Ram Temple, a symbol of violence, historical injustice, and religious intolerance,” the IAMC added in its statement.
“The proposed float for the parade is a blatant attempt to glorify the illegal demolition of the historical Babri Mosque and celebrate ongoing violence and terror against 200 million Indian Muslims. This is not merely a cultural display but a vulgar celebration of anti-Muslim hate, bigotry, and religious supremacy. In August 2022, similar far-right Hindu groups transformed the India Day parade in Edison, New Jersey, into a hate event by displaying a bulldozer, symbolizing the demolition of Muslim homes in India, alongside pictures of Prime Minister Modi and other Hindu supremacist leaders. This incident was condemned by US Senators Cory Booker and Bob Menendez and investigated by the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office and Edison Police Department,” the human rights groups added.
Ankur Vaidya who serves as the Chairman of the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) for eight states – NY, NJ, CT, MA, VT, RI, NH, and ME, refuted the allegations. “At this important juncture for our community, we find ourselves targeted for organizing a peaceful celebration that embodies inclusion for all and the theme of Vasudev Kutumbakam. The intolerance towards the celebration of a sacred landmark is disheartening. While we celebrate what we believe to be a vital aspect of our faith through the restoration of this landmark, we do not condone violence or hate in any form. We believe in and urge everyone to embrace peaceful coexistence. We invite you to join us in a celebration that promotes the formation of peaceful harmony and coexistence among diverse cultures, religions, genders, and more,” he said.
Dr. Avinash Gupta of the FIA told indica: “We are doing everything right. Our parade has welcomed Sikhs, Muslims, and Christians with floats, so it would be discriminatory not to allow Hindus to celebrate their momentous occasion — a moment they’ve waited for 500 years to right a historical wrong. This decision was upheld by the highest court of India after reviewing archaeological evidence. We embrace all religions and ethnic groups. This kind of frivolous noise and insinuations will only cease if we stop being apologetic, stand our ground, and refuse to buckle under pressure.”
The VHPA countered the allegations leveled by human rights groups “from the perspective of the American Hindu community” and also invited IAMC and other concerned parties to engage in a constructive dialogue to address misconceptions and work towards a common understanding. “We aim to ensure that the India Day Parade remains a celebration of unity, peace, and mutual respect.”
“The India Day Parade is a cherished celebration that honors India’s rich cultural heritage and the diverse contributions of its people, including the American Hindu community. This event showcases various aspects of Indian culture, history, and traditions, promoting tolerance, unity, and harmony among all communities. The IAMC has mischaracterized the float in question as ‘anti-Muslim’. We unequivocally condemn this assertion in the strongest terms. The float is intended to depict historical events and figures significant to Indian culture and history. It is neither designed nor intended to target or denigrate any religious group. The parade committee ensures that all representations are pluralistic, respectful, and inclusive, celebrating the mosaic of the Indian diaspora,” VHPA has stated.
The VHPA also blamed IAMC for fanning Hinduphobia. “As American Hindus, we uphold the values of freedom of religion and inclusivity enshrined in the American Constitution. The India Day Parade is a testament to our commitment to these principles. However, gross misinterpretations can vitiate the spirit of unity that the parade seeks to foster. The IAMC’s mischaracterization of the float as ‘anti-Muslim’ is not only inaccurate but also perpetuates Hinduphobia. Such statements infringe upon our freedom of religion by misrepresenting our cultural expressions and heritage. Respecting and understanding the significance of religious symbols and narratives to all communities is essential. Innuendos linking the VHPA to various organizations and activities are disingenuous and meant to attack Hindus by proxy. We are in an American organization and not an ‘offshoot’ of any organization anywhere in the world. Such attempts to malign the VHPA and, by extension, the broader Hindu community are devoid of any facts but are based on a divisive narrative that promotes hatred and disunity. We stand against these misleading accusations and affirm the VHPA’s positive contributions to promoting cultural and social harmony in over 50 years of our history.”
Ajay Shah, President of the VHPA, said: “We call upon Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams to recognize the Hindu hate and reject the calls to malign the Hindu faith and its practitioners who have enriched every aspect of the lives of residents of New York City, the State of New York, and all of the USA.”
