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Tag: Association of Indian Muslims in America

  • US coalition asks New York Governor, NYC mayor to refuse Islamophobic float at India Day Parade

    US coalition asks New York Governor, NYC mayor to refuse Islamophobic float at India Day Parade

    NEW YORK – The Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC) today joined in a letter by a coalition of human rights and interfaith organizations sent to New York Governor Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Eric Adams urging them to condemn and oppose the inclusion of an anti-Muslim float at the India Day Parade scheduled for August 18, 2024.

    For a digital copy of the full letter, click here.

    The float celebrates the destruction of the historic Babri Mosque, which was demolished on December 6, 1992, by a mob of over 150,000 right-wing Hindu militants.

    Letter co-signers include: Indian American Muslim Council, Council on American-Islamic Relations, Council on American-Islamic Relations-New York, Hindus for Human Rights, The Federation of Indian American Churches of North America (FIACONA), Muslim Public Affairs Council, New York State Council of Churches, Genocide Watch, Center for Pluralism, India’s Civil Watch International, American Muslim Institution, and Association of Indian Muslims in America

    The letter highlights concerns about the Indian consulate’s partnership with far-right groups to display the float, which features imagery of India’s Ram Temple. This temple stands on the ruins of the Babri Mosque, whose demolition led to widespread riots and the deaths of thousands, predominantly Muslims. The inauguration of the Ram Temple in January 2024 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has further fueled religious tensions, resulting in violence and attacks on other places of worship.

    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.

    The organizations call for immediate and decisive measures to prevent the inclusion of the divisive float to ensure New York remains a safe and welcoming place for all its residents.

  • American Organisations Call on India’s Supreme Court to Order a New Investigation of Modi in Gujarat Riots

    American Organisations Call on India’s Supreme Court to Order a New Investigation of Modi in Gujarat Riots

    International Society for Peace and Justice called on India’s Supreme Court to order a new investigation of Modi regarding his role in the Gujarat riots.

    It condemned assaults on freedom and the persecution of religious minorities in India, “what is supposed to be the world’s largest democracy.”

    The statement is endorsed by American Muslim Institution, Association of Indian Muslims in America, Federation of Indian American, Christians of North America, and Indian American Muslim Council.

    “The survivors of this pogrom deserve justice and compensation.” It urged the international community to assist those fighting for freedom in India today, as well as the fight for justice for those whose loved ones were killed in Gujarat 21 years ago. It also appealed to right-minded people across the globe to speak up for the many women who were systematically raped and the people who were displaced and had their homes and businesses destroyed.

    The statement has been issued in the context of the recent ban on the BBC documentary titled “India: The Modi Question,” which shows the role of PM Modi in the anti-Muslim Gujarat pogrom, which happened when he was the Chief Minister of the state. The film includes revelations from a recently declassified investigation of the riots by the British government. Investigators determined that Modi, as Gujarat’s chief minister, was “directly responsible” for the violence. Their report characterizes the riots as a “pogrom,” or a “systematic campaign of violence,” which had “all the hallmarks of ethnic cleansing” meant to force Muslims out of Hindu areas of Gujarat, according to the documentary.

    The Indian government has dismissed the film as propaganda meant to undermine Prime Minister Modi, and officials have said it will not be screened in India. Major online platforms such as Twitter and YouTube have been blocked from showing the documentary in India. The legal validity of using emergency powers to censor the documentary has yet to be determined by the Indian judiciary.

    The Supreme Court of India on Friday issued a notice to the Modi government over petitions challenging the move to block the BBC documentary. The court has sought original records about the government’s decision and will now hear the matter in April.

    Recently, more than 500 Indian scientists and academics endorsed a statement criticizing the Indian government for blocking the documentary, saying that the pretext that it undermines “the sovereignty and integrity of India” does not withstand scrutiny. “The removal violates our rights, as Indians, to access and discuss important information about our society and government,” the joint statement said.