Symbols of hate can never be disguised as symbols of celebration

The Federation of Indian American Christian Organizations of North America (FIACONA) is profoundly alarmed by the inclusion of an anti-Muslim float at the India Day Parade scheduled for August 18, 2024, in New York City.

This float, organized by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHPA) in collaboration with the office of the Indian Consulate, the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), and the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) and the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA), starkly contradict the intended values of inclusivity and respect that New York City and the state of New York uphold. The VHPA, an offshoot of India’s Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), has been designated a “militant religious organization” by the CIA’s World Factbook. | More

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Religion News Association.