New York: A significant number of Indian-American Muslims abstained from participating in New York City’s India Day parade this Sunday, protesting against the inclusion of a Ram Mandir float, which they argue symbolizes anti-Muslim sentiments and Hindu supremacy.

According to Kashmir Media Service, several civil rights organizations in the U.S. had previously appealed to New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York Governor Kathy Hochul to intervene and remove the float, citing its potential to foster anti-Muslim bias. These organizations include the Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC), the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), and Hindus for Human Rights.

Despite these protests, the parade organizers decided to keep the float, which measures 18 feet in length, 9 feet in width, and 8 feet in height, celebrating what they describe as the inauguration of a vital Hindu sacred site. This site, the Ram Temple, is built on the site of the demolished Babri Mosque in Ayodhya—a 1992 incident that triggered severe communal riots in northern India.

The parade featured a vibrant display around the controversial float, with participants donning traditional Indian outfits and dancing to music, while Bollywood actress Sonakshi Sinha served as the grand marshal. Amidst the festivities, the Indian American Muslim Council announced its withdrawal from the parade, reflecting deep-seated divisions within the diaspora over the float’s symbolism.