Madison Avenue in Midtown Manhattan was awash with Indian flags on Sunday, August 18, 2024, just a few days after the country celebrated its 78th Independence Day. The desi diaspora was out in full force in the thousands as the beat of hundreds of percussion instruments filled the air.
Organized by the Federation of Indian Associations, the 40th edition of the annual India Day Parade had over 40 large floats. Presented as the crown jewel of the parade was a scale model replica of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Hundreds of people, including members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad America (VHPA) and parade organizers, crowded around the replica taking selfies, throwing saffron flower petals, bowing, and praying.
The Ram Mandir float had earlier drawn ire from multiple Indian American organizations, led by CAIR (Council for Islamic Relations). On August 5, they collectively released a letter announcing a boycott of the parade stating that, “The event’s 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. Allowing the float at the parade would embolden anti-Muslim actors and undermine New York City’s commitment to diversity and peaceful coexistence.”
At the very back of the parade were floats representing Dalits, Bahujans, Sikhs, Indian Christians, and a group of four men walking, while holding up a banner that said Muslims for Peace and Love. At one point a small group of dozen protestors stood on the sidelines holding large banners that said “Hindutva Kills” and “Inquilab Zindabad. On the other side of the barricade stood hundreds of members of the VHPA loudly chanting “Jai Shri Ram” at the protestors.
Despite this, the parade remained without incident.