Indian American Muslim group cancels parade participation amid float controversy

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A group representing Indian American Muslims has withdrawn its float from New York Citys annual India Day Parade on Sunday following controversy over the inclusion of a float they say shows anti-Muslim bias.. . ImtiazSiamwalla, 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.. . Siamwallatold 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 ofRam Janmabhoomi Mandir a Hindu temple built on top of the ruins of a 16thcentury Babri mosque, which was destroyed by Hindu nationalists in 1992..

They want to show the minorities look what we did in our country we can do it here too, this is all for intimidation,Siamwallasaid.. . Parade organizers have rejected calls to remove the float, saying it celebrates the inauguration of a sacred landmark that is significant to hundreds of millions of Hindus, the Associated Press previouslyreported.. ..

Other groups have called on parade organizers to not allow the float in Sundays parade, saying its an overt politicization of an event meant to celebrate Indian people, not their politics.. . New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who has marched in the parade in previous years is expected to sit out this years celebration..

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