On the occasion of the country’s 76th Independence Day, Indians living in New Jersey in the United States took to the streets to celebrate India’s liberation from British rule.
In the visuals shared on social media, Indians can be seen gathering in large numbers and waving the Tricolour with pride. Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly, Craig J. Coughlin, also joined the Indian community on this occasion.
While speaking about his experience, he said, “Though India’s story happened many years after America, our shared ideas of freedom and democracy unite us. As I stand here at the heart of the business district, I am reminded of how the Indian Americans have contributed to the positive growth of New Jersey.”
Celebrating alongside our local Indian American community today as the Indian Business Association hosts New Jersey’s 18th annual India Day Parade. pic.twitter.com/c29vGoE22w
— Speaker Craig J. Coughlin (@SpeakerCoughlin) August 14, 2022
Assemblyman for New Jersey District 18, Rob Karabinchak, also joined the Indians to celebrate Edison’s 18th India Day parade.
“The Indian American community in Edison & throughout New Jersey is so vibrant and vital to our district, I am proud to support for the local community and the growing number of Indian American,” he tweeted.
Today, I was honored & happy to attend the 18th annual India Day Parade in Edison.
— Asm. Rob Karabinchak (@RKarabinchak) August 14, 2022
The Indian American community in Edison & throughout New Jersey is so vibrant and vital to our district, I am proud to support for the local community and the growing number of Indian American.🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/wD0L4LaqYh
Twitter user Aruna Somanathan wrote, “Happy Independence Day. New Jersey celebration. Long live India and long live Modi ji. From all Indians all over the world.”
Happy Independence Day . New Jersey celebration . Long live India and long live modi ji . From all Indians all over the world . ❤️❤️🙏🙏🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/m0SNJ2ODfo
— ARUNA somanathan. (@arunabarani87) August 14, 2022
Another Twitter user named Gudumba Satti shared more visuals from the Indian Independence Day celebrations in New Jersey.
Indian Independence Day celebrations in New Jersey, USA.#HarGharTiranga #AzadiKaAmritMahotsav #IndiaAt75 pic.twitter.com/GduIPMkxVK
— Gudumba Satti (@GudumbaSatti) August 15, 2022
Besides, some Indians were seen leading the Independence Day parade in New Jersey with bulldozers. Interestingly, they were adorned with pictures of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Yogi Adityanath.
“Baba ka Bulldozer,” read one such banner.
India Square
— bhavesh dave (@bombay411) August 15, 2022
Iselin – New Jersey 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸08830 pic.twitter.com/EM4XJQApRs
However, the celebrations did not go down well with everyone. Islamist organisation Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC) took umbrage at the rally. Sharing the image of bulldozer from the rally, IAMC tweeted, “Hindu right-wing in Edison, New Jersey marched with bulldozers, which have become a weapon in the hands of the BJP government to destroy Muslim homes and livelihoods.”
Today, the Hindu right-wing in Edison, New Jersey marched with bulldozers, which have become a weapon in the hands of the BJP government to destroy Muslim homes and livelihoods. pic.twitter.com/3M3GKj8kcq
— Indian American Muslim Council (@IAMCouncil) August 15, 2022
The Indian American Muslim Council is a radical Islamist group that has alleged links with banned terror organizations such as the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) and has a long history of lobbying against India. IAMC claims to be the “largest advocacy organization of Indian Muslims in the US” and often advocates for Sharia courts and peddles misinformation against India.
