Indian American Muslim group cancels parade participation amid float controversy

CNN —

A group representing Indian American Muslims has withdrawn its float from New York City’s annual India Day Parade on Sunday following controversy over the inclusion of a float they say shows anti-Muslim bias.

Imtiaz Siamwalla, the president of Indian Muslims of North America sent a letter to parade organizers Saturday, notifying them of the decision.

“It is with a heavy heart that we find ourselves compelled to withdraw our float since the integrity of the parade has been called into the question,” the group wrote.

Siamwalla told CNN the group intended to join the annual celebration along Madison Avenue in Manhattan but decided to rescind its participation after failing to convince parade organizers to not include the controversial float.

The float in question was announced several days prior to the parade and depicts a replica of Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir – a Hindu temple built on top of the ruins of a 16th century Babri mosque, which was destroyed by Hindu nationalists in 1992. The destruction of the mosque triggered riots across the country in which more than 2,000 people were killed, CNN previously reported.

“We were very much looking forward to participating but learning that there is going to be a float that has a replica of the Ram temple, we think that this is a symbol of bias against Muslims,” Siamwalla said.

“The politics that take place in India should stay in India,” he added. “Once you come to this county you become an American and America is the land of tolerance of inclusion. So, this float should have never been a part of the parade.”

“When the mob broke down the mosque back in 1992, people lost their lives, their belongings, that was not something that Muslims took lightly,” Siamwalla said.

It