A float set to appear in Sunday's India Day Parade in New York City has sparked controversy for celebrating a Hindu temple built over a razed mosque in India. The float features the Ram Mandir, a sacred landmark that has been criticized by some as anti-Muslim.
The Indian American Muslim Council and other faith-based groups have called on parade organizers to remove the float, citing concerns that it glorifies the destruction of mosques and violence against Muslims in India. Hindus make up the majority of India's population, but the country is also home to a significant Muslim population that has faced attacks from Hindu nationalists.
Parade organizers have defended the float, stating that it celebrates an important aspect of Hindu faith and rejecting any association with violence or hate. The Federation of Indian Associations, which is organizing the event, emphasized the importance of peaceful coexistence and embracing cultural diversity.
The theme of this year's parade is 'Vasudev Kutumbakam,' which translates to 'the world is one family' in Sanskrit. The event, now in its 42nd year, attracts tens of thousands of attendees and features floats representing various faiths, including Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, and Christian.
The Ram Mandir, inaugurated in 2020 in Ayodhya, was built on the site of the Babri mosque, which was destroyed in 1992 by Hindu nationalist groups. The temple, dedicated to the god Ram, symbolizes a significant religious landmark for Hindus.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams have been called upon to address the controversy, with Adams emphasizing that there is 'no room for hate' in the city. The annual India Day Parade commemorates the end of British rule and the establishment of an independent India on August 15, 1947.
