Washington: The 42nd India Day Parade set to be held in New York City has been marred with controversy over the inclusion of the Ram Mandir float with several US-based civil society organisations calling the float “hate-filled, divisive and Islamophobic”.
In a letter to the US State Department and US Attorney General, Indian American Muslim Council, Black Lives Matter, Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), Sikh Assembly of America, Federation of Indian American Christians among other organizations called for an investigation against Indian Consulate in New York and VHP America over the inclusion of Ram Mandir float at India Day Parade.
US-based Groups Demand Investigation Against Indian Consulate over Ram Mandir Float Inclusion
“The Indian Consulate’s active involvement in this float, which will showcase a controversial Indian temple, and parade likely violates Article 41 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations that specifically says foreign missions “have a duty not to interfere in the internal affairs of that State” and can only conduct their “official business through the Ministry for Foreign Affairs,” which would be the US Department of State,” the letter read.
Float Will Promote Hate Speech
Civil society organisations further mentioned that parading this float will clearly “constitute hate speech” in the United States.
These bodies also alleged that the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA), the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHPA), the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), and the Siddhivinayak Temple should be investigated over possible violation of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).
“The direct involvement of the Indian Government in promoting such a symbol of hate within the United States strongly indicates potential violations of diplomatic protocol and U.S. laws, especially FARA. We urge the U.S. Department of Justice, the US Department of State, the New York State Attorney General’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to thoroughly investigate the role of the Indian Consulate in New York City in this matter,” the letter added.
Ram Lalla sculptor Arun Yogiraj Denied US Visa for 3-day Conference
Meanwhile, renowned sculptor Arun Yogiraj, who carved the Ram Lalla idol installed at the newly built Ram Temple in Ayodhya, has been denied a US visa to attend a three-day conference in Virginia. Arun Yogiraj was reportedly scheduled to attend the 12th AKKA World Kannada Conference (WKC 2024), set to take place from August 30 to September 1.
The family members of Yogiraj said that all necessary arrangements were made, and the denial was particularly surprising given that the sculptor’s wife, Vijeta, has previously travelled to the US without any issues.
US-based Groups Call Ram Mandir Float At India Parade ‘Islamophobic’, Urge State Dept Intervention world-news World News | Latest International News | Global World News | World News Today
