Controversy, protest mars India Day Parade in New York and Toronto

Despite objections from some US-based organisations, a carnival float featuring Ayodhya's Ram Mandir was made part of the India Day Parade in New York City on Sunday. While, in Canada’s Toronto dozens of pro-Khalistan protestors disrupted the India Day Parade.

In New York, the float depicted the temple of Lord Ram, which was consecrated earlier this year in Ayodhya. Visuals showed that the float was decorated with garlands while the members of the Indian diaspora, dressed in traditional attire and holding the Indian tricolour in their hands, danced as a mark of celebration in the streets of New York City.

The Ram Mandir float ran into a controversy days before the parade when a number of groups called it anti-Muslim and said it should be removed from the event. On the other hand, Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America, which was organising the float, said it represented a Hindu place of worship and aimed to glorify a deity seen as an important part of Indian and Hindu identity. The Hindu American Foundation said it was an exercise of free speech.

The annual New York City parade takes place three days after India's Independence Day.

In Canada’s Toronto city, dozens of pro-Khalistan protestors disrupted the India Day Parade, creating tensions during the Independence Day celebrations organised by the Indian diaspora.

A viral video shared on social media, which Pressvan could not independently verify, captured the clash between pro-India and anti-India groups. The parade, held on August 18 at Toronto’s Nathan Phillips Square, was reportedly one of the largest commemorations of India’s independence in the country.

This incident follows a recent confrontation between Indian supporters and Khalistan separatists in an industrial area near Surrey, BC, on India’s Independence Day.