USA: Controversy over ‘India Day Parade’ in New York, Ram Mandir tableau termed anti-Muslim

New York. There has been a controversy over the upcoming India Day Parade in New York, America. In this parade, a picture depicts the Ram temple of Ayodhya, which has been opposed by many groups calling it anti-Muslim. Opposing this, some organizations and people have written a letter to the Mayor of New York.

Some American organizations have written a letter to New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York Governor Kathy Hochul, calling the picture anti-Muslim and saying that it glorifies the demolition of the mosque. The groups that signed the letter include the Council on American Islamic Relations, Indian American Muslim Council.

The letter said, “The presence of this picture demonstrates a desire to associate Hindu nationalist ideology with Indian identity, whereas India is a secular country.

Clarification of the organizers

On the other hand, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America, which organized this Parade, says that it represents a Hindu place of worship and its purpose is to glorify the deity seen as an important part of Indian and Hindu identity.

The Hindu American Foundation said that this is a matter of freedom of expression. The Federation of Indian Associations, which runs Sunday’s event, said that the parade represents the cultural diversity of India and will include people from different communities.

Mayor’s statement

In a press conference earlier this week, Mayor Adams said that “there is no place for hate. If there is a group or a person in the parade who is promoting hate, they should not be doing it.” Adams’ office later told The Associated Press that the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution prevents the city from denying a permit or demanding that a group or parade’s message be changed just because it disagrees with the content. His office also said late Thursday that Mayor Adams had no plans to attend Sunday’s parade, though he has attended in past years.