India Day Parade in New York Faces Criticism Over Ram Mandir Float
The 42nd Annual India Day Parade in New York City, scheduled for August 18, has come under fire for including a Ram Mandir miniature float. The Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) stated that the parade, a peaceful community celebration, is facing hate-filled scrutiny on social media, leading to the loss of sponsorships and fear-mongering among citizens.
The FIA emphasized that the float celebrates a sacred landmark significant to millions of Hindus and questioned if such derogatory name-calling would be tolerated if directed at other communities’ places of worship. The Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC) condemned the float, describing it as a symbol of violence and religious intolerance.
In February 2022, the IAMC organized a seminar where former Vice President Hamid Ansari raised concerns about human rights in India, which was criticized by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The MEA stated that India is a robust democracy and does not require external certification.
The FIA also mentioned facing petitions to stop the parade and efforts to dissuade officials from attending. Despite this, the FIA stands for peaceful coexistence and rejects violence and hate. They invite the community to join in a celebration of diversity and mutual respect, embodying values championed by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Preparations continue for the parade, with celebrities like Sonakshi Sinha, Pankaj Tripathi, and BJP MP Manoj Tiwari expected to attend.
Doubts Revealed
India Day Parade -: The India Day Parade is a big event where people celebrate India’s culture and independence. It happens every year in New York City.
New York -: New York is a very big city in the United States of America. It is known for its tall buildings and famous places like the Statue of Liberty.
Ram Mandir -: Ram Mandir is a temple dedicated to Lord Ram, a god in Hinduism. It is being built in Ayodhya, India, and has been a topic of much discussion and controversy.
Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) -: The Federation of Indian Associations is a group that organizes events for Indian people living in the United States. They help celebrate Indian culture and traditions.
Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC) -: The Indian American Muslim Council is a group that represents Indian Muslims living in the United States. They work to protect the rights and interests of Indian Muslims.
backlash -: Backlash means a strong negative reaction from many people. In this case, some people are upset about the Ram Mandir float in the parade.
float -: A float is a decorated platform, often on a vehicle, used in parades. It usually has decorations and sometimes people on it to celebrate a theme.
sponsorships -: Sponsorships are when companies or people give money to support an event. In return, they often get their name or logo shown at the event.
symbol of violence -: A symbol of violence means something that represents or reminds people of violent actions or events. Some people feel the Ram Mandir float represents past conflicts.
petitions -: Petitions are documents that people sign to show they support or oppose something. They are often used to try to make changes or stop something from happening.
social media backlash -: Social media backlash is when many people express their anger or disapproval on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
peaceful coexistence -: Peaceful coexistence means living together in peace without fighting or conflict. It is about respecting each other’s differences.
mutual respect -: Mutual respect means treating each other with kindness and understanding, even if you have different opinions or beliefs.
Sonakshi Sinha -: Sonakshi Sinha is a famous actress in Bollywood, the Indian film industry. She has acted in many popular movies.
Pankaj Tripathi -: Pankaj Tripathi is a well-known actor in Bollywood. He is famous for his roles in movies and web series.