Washington, D.C. (August 17, 2024) – Indian Muslims of North America, an Indian Muslim group that had initially planned to organize a Muslim float for the New York City India Day parade on August 18, has withdrawn their participation from the parade due to “significant concern” over the event’s inclusion of a tableau celebrating the Ram Temple. The Ram Temple is widely used in India as a symbol glorifying anti-Muslim violence, the destruction of historic mosques, and Hindu supremacy.
The Ram Temple stands on the ruins of the historic Babri Mosque, which was demolished on December 6, 1992, by a mob of over 150,000 right-wing Hindu militants. The demolition sparked widespread riots across northern India, resulting in the deaths of thousands, predominantly Muslims. In 2024, during and after the Ram Temple’s consecration ceremony, Hindu nationalist mobs unleashed waves of anti-Muslim violence throughout India, including the desecration of mosques.
In a letter addressed to the Federation Of Indian Associations, the organizing body behind the NYC India Day event, Indian Muslims of North America president Imtiaz Siamwalla noted that the group had received concerns regarding their participation from not just Muslims, but Christians, Sikhs, Hindus, and Dalits.
“There has been an overwhelming response expressing deep concern over the inclusion of the Replica of Ram Temple float in the parade… In light of these circumstances, it is with a heavy heart that we find ourselves compelled to withdraw our float since the integrity of the parade has been called into question,” Siamwalla concluded.
Indian Muslims of North America further urged FIA to reconsider the decision to display the Ram Temple float “in order to preserve our interfaith coalition.”
A number of New York lawmakers have already spoken out against the use of hate symbols during the event, at the urging of Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian, Jewish, and Black activists who labeled the Ram Temple float “divisive.”
"No one should be using any anti-conversations in marching these parades,” said Mayor Eric Adams at a press conference last week. "I want to send a symbolic gesture that the city is open to everyone and there's no room for hate."
New York State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani and two members of the New York City Council, Shekar Krishnan and Shahina Hanif, had previously signed a joint letter to Mayor Eric Adams, stating that the Ram Temple symbolizes bigotry against the Muslim minority in India urging the mayor to condemn the planned display.
On August 6, a multifaith coalition of civil rights organizations released a letter calling on Mayor Adams and Governor Kathy Hochul to put a stop to the float, citing concerns over its Hindu supremacist symbolism.
A press conference held on Wednesday, August 14 on the steps of New York City hall also featured speakers from Hindus for Human Rights, Sadhana, Dalit Solidarity Forum USA, Black Lives Matter Greater New York, the Sikh Coalition, Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC), the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), The Federation of Indian American Churches of North America (FIACONA), Muslims for Progressive Values, Muslim Public Affairs Council, New York State Council of Churches, and Jews and Muslims and Allies Acting Together (JAMAAT).
