On August 15th the iconic Empire State Building in New York was illumined with tricolours to commemorate the 78^th Independence Day of India. Around that time in the USA the cancel culture lobby started perpetrating a distorted narrative against India and Indians.

Cancel culture refers to the phenomenon of publicly calling out or condemning individuals, groups, or expressions for perceived wrongdoing, often with the intention of silencing or ostracising them.

The cancel culture targeted the Ram Temple float to be included in the India Day Parade (IDP), in New York on 18^th August 2024. Incontestably, the Ram Temple float signifies cultural significance with a religiously significant symbol for Hindus. It is a celebration of heritage; inclusivity across caste and creed, a representation of the diversity of Indian culture; and the community pride deeply rooted to multi century-old history.

Notably, it was the 42^nd IDP organised by the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) which has been promoting and safeguarding the values and culture of the Indian American community for over five decades. IDP is the largest parade outside of India to showcase Indian heritage, value and cultural identity. IDP was supported by the entire spectrum of the most peaceful Indian community including the Hindu American Foundation (HAF), the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA), the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHPA) and the Indian American Cultural Association (IACA).

The cancel culture was unleashed by NY City Office, government bodies, political entities, bureaucrats and various social and advocacy groups. The cancel culture was executed along various fronts. The Ram Mandir float faced a big issue when NYC Mayor Eric Adams in a non-inclusive way condemned the Ram Mandir float as an anti-Muslim float. The decision taken by the New City Mayor demonstrated a lack of understanding of the historical and cultural significance of the Ram Mandir temple negating facts of history, the decision of the constitutional body of India, the Supreme Court, bolstering the misrepresentation of the facts perpetuating a false narrative for cancel culture.

Undeniably Hindu sentiments were faced with censorship on freedom of expression in celebration of cultural heritage. The Mayor's statements undermined inclusivity and diversity and sowed divisions within the community.

NYC Mayor Eric Adams' remark is an attempt to silence the expression of the Hindu community, imposing a singular view on a complex issue, not attempting to engage in constructive dialogue or understanding with the Indian community and prioritising one community's sentiments over another's.

It is widely discussed that it's possible that Mayor Adams' decision was influenced by political pressure from Muslim advocacy groups or allies, a desire to appease certain constituencies.  Fuelled by this support, the cancel culture shell launched its assault on India and Indians invoking cancel culture support from across the board including media, government bodies, political entities, bureaucrats and various social and advocacy groups.

It is unknown whether these cancel culture groups, or advocacy groups influenced NYC Mayor Eric Adams' decision. Some organisations and individuals have been vocal about their opposition to the Ram Mandir float and may have contributed to the narrative that led to the Mayor's condemnation. Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) - NY Chapter, Islamic Leadership Council of New York (ILCNY), South Asian Histories for All (SAHFA): SAHFA, spoken out against Hindu nationalism, and Muslim American Society (MAS) - NY Chapter has been vocal about issues affecting Muslim Americans contributed to the opposition against the Ram Mandir float.

The activities carried out by these groups make us think that they made every effort to influence Mayor, Senator and Governor's offices. Ajit Sahi, advocacy director for the Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC), baselessly opposing the Ram Mandir float penned letters to parade organisers, the mayor, and even federal officials like Secretary of State Antony Blinken. He took the cancel culture to the next level by calling for an investigation and absurdly misplaced citation of anti-Muslim hate speeches. He said, “It is our argument that this float is being used by the Indian government to inject hate and divisiveness in the United States, especially in New York City."

These cancel culture colluded groups organised a press conference at NY City Hall, and the statements made by speakers during the press conference at NY City Hall clearly demonstrated bigoted cancel culture targeting Hindus and Indians at large with falsified and crafted facts.

1. Debbie Almontaser (Muslim Community Network): "The Ram Mandir float is a symbol of Hindu supremacy and anti-Muslim hatred. We demand Mayor Adams condemn it."
2. Zohran Kwame Mamdani (NY State Assemblymember): "This float is not just a celebration of Hinduism, but a glorification of violence against Muslims."
3. Shahana Hanif (NY City Councilmember): "As a Muslim woman, I feel unsafe seeing this float. It's a reminder of the violence and hate we face."
4. Murad Awawdeh (CAIR-NY): "The Ram Mandir float is a slap in the face to Muslim New Yorkers. We demand respect and condemnation from our leaders."
5. Dr. Ambedkar Jayanti (Dalit American Association): "As a Dalit, I know what it means to face oppression. This float is a symbol of that oppression."
6. Simran Jeet Singh (Sikh Coalition): "We stand in solidarity with our Muslim brothers and sisters against this hateful float."
7. Rev. Dr. Chloe Breyer (Interfaith Centre of NY): "We must stand against hate and bigotry in all forms. This float is a clear example of that."
8. Raja Abdulhaq (SAHFA): "The Ram Mandir float is a reminder of the ongoing violence against Muslims in India. We demand action from our leaders."

The cancel culture lobby colludes with all groups who are infamous for targeting Hindus employing cancel culture. The collusion is so apparent that the smoke screens created by these groups were ineffective and exposed their intent.

Federation of Indian American Christian Organizations of North America (FIACONA) has a mission to preserve the socio-political space of the Christian church from encroachment by nationalist radical groups acting in the name of Hinduism, as well as their representatives in the Indian government. However, their article, harping against the Ram Mandir float stirring unfounded controversy in the name of anti-Muslim. They have nothing to do with other than partnering in cancel culture against Hindus, exposing their ulterior motive. Their biased involvement does not leave any suspicion that they are colluding in cancel culture against Hindus. Their views had no alignment with their mission-

1. The float featured a replica of the Ram Mandir temple, which some see as a symbol of Hindu nationalism and anti-Muslim sentiment.
2. The float promoted hate and intolerance against Muslims.
3. The float's inclusion in the parade was insensitive to the Muslim community.
4. FIAONA failed to ensure inclusivity and diversity in the parade.
    

It is fair to infer that FIAONA's opposition to the Ram Mandir float had shared objectives, including instigating controversy, obscuring facts, promoting Hinduphobia and playing a covert role in cancel culture. Therefore, FIAONA's actions can be perceived as colluding with Muslim agencies. By focusing solely on Muslim sentiments and ignoring historical wrongdoings against Hindus and Christians, FIAONA's approach is one-sided marred with historical amnesia. The collusion is obvious from the fact that Muslim-oriented journal, Muslim Mirror, was very quick to publish their activity as their support.

The cancel culture worked on all of fault lines created by them in the Indian community with a false narrative. They have been creating fissures along caste lines and regionalism. They have been spreading a misconception that Dalits are a separate Indian community, and a section of Sikhs are secessionists.

In the in the NY City Hall press conference they brought Gautam Patel, the President of Hindus for Human Rights, who parroted the same script, "We condemn the inclusion of the Ram Mandir float in the India Day Parade. This float is not a celebration of Hindu heritage, but a symbol of Hindu supremacy and anti-Muslim hatred. It glorifies the destruction of the Babri Masjid and perpetuates the same violent ideology that has led to countless attacks on Muslims in India. We stand in solidarity with our Muslim brothers and sisters and demand that our leaders reject this hateful ideology."

Dr. Ambedkar Jayanti, President of the Dalit American Association, spoke what they wanted with a totally absurd and farfetched correlation, "The Ram Mandir float is a painful reminder of the oppression and violence faced by Dalits and Muslims in India. The same forces that demolished the Babri Masjid are responsible for the ongoing atrocities against Dalits. We stand in solidarity with our Muslim brothers and sisters and demand that our leaders recognise the intersectionality of our struggles. We will not be silent in the face of hate and bigotry."

The most ridiculous one was Simran Jeet Singh, Executive Director of the Sikh Coalition  "Vaheguru ji ki Khalsa, Vaheguru ji ki Fateh".  "Vaheguru" is a term used by Sikhs to refer to their Guru, specifically Guru Gobind Singh Ji, so the mainstream interpretation of the phrase "Vaheguru ji ki Khalsa, Vaheguru ji ki Fateh" literally means "Glory to the Guru's Khalsa, Victory to the Guru". She added, "The Sikh community stands in solidarity with our Muslim brothers and sisters in condemning the Ram Mandir float.”

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) a collusion leader issued a statement during the press conference condemning the Ram Mandir float, saying,
"The inclusion of a float celebrating the destruction of the Babri Masjid and the construction of the Ram Mandir is a blatant attempt to erase the struggles and sacrifices of Indian Muslims. It's a painful reminder of the violence and hate that led to the demolition of the mosque and the ongoing marginalisation of Muslims in India. We stand in solidarity with our Indian Muslim brothers and sisters and demand that our leaders reject this hateful ideology and work towards creating a more inclusive and equitable society for all."

The systematic execution of the cancel culture involves spreading misinformation and unfounded controversy through newspapers. Various newspapers had the following headlines despite knowing the history of Ram Janma Bhumi and the historic verdict of the Supreme Court of India.

1. The New York Times: "A Hindu Temple Float Sparks Controversy at an India Day Parade"
2. The Washington Post: "India Day parade float sparks controversy over Hindu-Muslim tensions"
3. Newsweek: "Ram Mandir Float in India Day Parade Sparks Outrage Among Muslim Groups"
4. The Guardian (US edition): "New York's India Day parade features Hindu temple float, sparking controversy"
5. NBC News: "Controversy erupts over Hindu temple float at India Day parade in New York"
6. CNN: "India Day parade float sparks controversy over Hindu-Muslim tensions"
7. The Wall Street Journal: "India Day Parade Float Sparks Tensions Between Hindu and Muslim Groups"
8. New York Daily News: "India Day Parade float featuring Hindu temple sparks controversy"
9. The Forward: "Jewish and Muslim groups slam Hindu temple float at India Day Parade"
10. Gothamist: "Controversy Erupts Over Hindu Temple Float At India Day Parade"

These newspapers supported cancelling of the rights provided in the 1^st Amendment of the constitution of the USA by spreading controversy on the celebration of Hindu heritage. Based on the headlines and content one can easily deduce that they're consciously biased reported on the controversy, propagating a unilateral prejudiced narrative of the cancel culture and Hinduphobic groups.

The Cancel culture and Hinduphobia group work hand in glove with an objective to prevent the Indian community and Hindus from celebrating their heritage across the world, and it has surfaced in various forms.
 

1. Academic Hinduphobia: Some scholars are involved in criticising Hinduism or India's government without substantiating with facts.
2. Social Media Censorship: Hindus have faced censorship on social media platforms, including the removal of content promoting Hinduism or criticising anti-Hindu bigotry.
3. Bullying and Harassment: Many cases registered with authorities by Hindu students and professionals have faced bullying and harassment for their beliefs or cultural practices.
4. Erasure and Appropriation: Hindu cultural symbols and practices have been appropriated or erased, leading to accusations of cultural insensitivity.
5. Political Hinduphobia: Politicians and activists have been found to be promoting anti-Hindu biases or ignoring Hindu concerns.
6. Media Representation: Media has been profoundly perpetuating stereotypes, inaccuracies, or biases in representation.
7. Campus Hinduphobia: Hindu students have reported facing discrimination, harassment, or marginalisation on college campuses. In 2020, the State of New York was considered a bill that would mandate that the Swastika be taught as a symbol of hatred and intolerance in all New York schools by mistaking it with Hakenkreuz (a German word, meaning “hooked cross”). The Swastika has  Rigveda roots and etymologically, ‘su’ and ‘asti’, meaning “that which brings good luck and well-being.
8. Corporate Hinduphobia: Companies promoting anti-Hindu biases or ignoring Hindu concerns.

A brazen attempt to propagate a cancel culture and amplify Hinduphobia was displayed against the Indian community. Their objective was to have the Indian community denied of their freedom to express and denied of opportunity to celebrate their Independence Day upholding their pride of cultural heritage. The cancel culture lobby made all efforts to scuttle a proud display of Indian culture and take pride in its deep-rooted heritage.

Despite the malevolent attempt by these anti-Hindu groups, on the 18^th of August 2024 a majestic Ram Mandir float was displayed during the India Independence Day Parade organised by Federation of India Associations (FIA). The flower and flag adorned Ram Mandir float, organised by Vishva Hindu Parishad of America (VHPA) (measuring 18 feet long, nine feet wide, and eight feet high) combined with fluttering Indian flags and the rhythmic beats of dhols, marched down Madison Avenue from East 38th Street to East 27^th Street of New York cheered by Indian diaspora and thousands of spectators!

Image source: ABP Live