Despite objections from some US organisations, a carnival float with an image of Ayodhya’s Ram temple was made part of the India Day parade in New York City on Sunday.
The tableau depicted the temple of Lord Ram, which was consecrated in Ayodhya earlier this year.
Visuals showed the tableau decorated with garlands while members of the Indian diaspora dressed in traditional attire and holding the Indian tricolour in their hands danced celebratory on the streets of New York City.
The Ram temple tableau had come under controversy a few days before the parade with several groups calling it anti-Muslim and saying it should be removed from the event.
Some organizations wrote letters to New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York Governor Kathy Hochul, calling the tableau anti-Muslim and saying that it glorified the demolition of the mosque.
Groups that signed the letter included the Council on American Islamic Relations, the Indian American Muslim Council, and Hindus for Human Rights.
“The presence of this tableau reflects the desire of these groups to merge Hindu nationalist ideology with Indian identity, but India is a secular country,” the letter said.
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America, which organized the float, said it represented a Hindu place of worship and was intended to glorify a deity seen as an important part of Indian and Hindu identity. The Hindu American Foundation said it was an attempt at freedom of expression.
The Federation of Indian Associations, which organises Sunday’s event, said the parade represents India’s cultural diversity and will feature tableaux from various communities.
New York City’s annual parade takes place three days after India’s Independence Day.