7 August 2024: The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and its New York chapter have joined a coalition of human rights and interfaith organizations in urging New York Governor Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Eric Adams to condemn and oppose the inclusion of an anti-Muslim float at the India Day Parade, scheduled for August 18, 2024, said a CAIR statement.
The contentious float reportedly celebrates the demolition of the historic Babri Masjid, demolished on December 6, 1992, by a mob of over 150,000 right-wing Hindu militants. The mosque’s demolition sparked widespread riots, resulting in the deaths of thousands, predominantly Muslims.
The coalition’s letter to the governor and mayor, co-signed by organizations such as the Indian American Muslim Council, Hindus for Human Rights, The Federation of Indian American Churches of North America (FIACONA), and Genocide Watch, highlights concerns over the Indian consulate’s partnership with far-right groups to feature the float. The float includes imagery of India’s Ram Temple, which stands on the ruins of the Babri Masjid. The temple’s inauguration in January 2024 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has exacerbated religious tensions, leading to further violence and attacks on places of worship.
Event organizers, including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHPA) and Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), have histories of spreading hate speech and exploiting laborers. The coalition argues that allowing the float in the parade would embolden anti-Muslim actors and undermine New York City’s commitment to diversity and peaceful coexistence.
The organizations call for immediate and decisive measures to prevent the inclusion of the divisive float to ensure New York remains a safe and welcoming place for all its residents.
