Veteran Indian American journalist and civil rights activist Ajit Sahi has sought "immediate intervention" to contact Bollywood actors Sonakshi Sinha and Pankaj Tripathi regarding their scheduled participation in the India Day Parade in New York City on August 18, 2024.
In an open plea, Sahi says, "As you may be aware, the parade has recently attracted significant controversy due to the inclusion of a Ram Temple float, which is being brought by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHPA). The float is widely perceived as divisive, Islamophobic, and a direct reflection of the Hindu supremacist ideology that has long oppressed the Muslim minority in India."
According to him, "The VHPA is well known for its affiliations with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) in India—organizations that have been instrumental in fostering communal violence and spreading anti-Muslim sentiment."
Sahi (photo) reveals, "The Bridge Initiative at Georgetown University has flagged the VHPA as a hate organization due to its extremist views and activities. Additionally, Savera, a respected civil society coalition, has published extensive reports exposing the direct links between the RSS-VHP in India and the VHPA. These connections are well-documented and have raised alarm among various human rights groups both in India and abroad."
Stating that "the controversy has already cast a dark shadow over the event, leading to New York City Mayor Eric Adams publicly condemning the anti-Muslim float", he notes, "Mayor Adams has even announced that he will not participate in the parade this year, breaking with tradition from previous years."
He continues, "Many others, such as New York State Assembly member Zohran Mamdani and New York City Council members Shahana Hanif and Shekar Krishnan have condemned the float and asked that it be canceled."
"Given this context", he adds, "It is crucial that Sonakshi Sinha and Pankaj Tripathi reconsider their participation in the parade."
Sahi insists, "Associating with an event that features such a controversial and divisive element could severely damage their reputations, making them appear partisan and alienating a significant portion of their audience. The potential backlash could be detrimental to their careers and public standing, both in India and internationally."
He believes, "Their decision to withdraw from the parade would send a powerful message of solidarity with oppressed communities and uphold the values of inclusivity and respect."
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