Indian-Americans held a peaceful protest at the Time Square against the recent spurt in hate crimes and instances of vandalism of Gandhi statue in the city.

The protest was organised in association with the influential Federation of Indian Americans (FIA) along with other community outfits. The participants urged the Biden administration and other state governments to take steps against such instances.

Community representatives also expressed concern over the recent and multiple brazen attacks on Mahatma Gandhi’s statue in New York and other US cities.

A moment of silence and prayers were held to pay tributes to the victims and to the heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice to keep them all safe.

Addressing the gathering, India’s Consul General in New York Randhir Jaiswal emphasized the need to renew commitment and resolve to be vigilant against hate crimes and terrorism, and to embrace peace-filled harmony and non-violence which are the preaching of father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi. Mr Jaiswal also paid his tribute to the victims of 9/11.

In his remarks, FIA president Kenny Desai said nothing is better than a peaceful march to bring the issue to the attention of the authorities concerned.

“As we remember and honour those who lost their lives on this day, we should work peacefully with a committed resolve to abolish extremism and hate-crime,” he said.

Asserting that there is a lot to learn from the values that Mahatma Gandhi embodies, community leader and Rajasthan Association of North America chief Prem Bhandari strongly condemned the recent incidents of vandalism where the statue of the great global leader was desecrated and destroyed.

He demanded strict action by the US government to punish those responsible, FIA said. FIA chairman Ankur Vaidya and chairman of Bihar Foundation of North America Alok Kumar also spoke on the occasion.

Commemorating the 75th anniversary of India’s Independence, 75 Indian-American organizations have announced to celebrate the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsava’ at US Capitol from September 14.

“This unique US Capitol event will be a hallmark in the festivity of India’s independence, bringing 75 organizations together and showcasing India’s unique culture and diversity,” Jashvant Patel, CEO, US-India Relationship Council and chairman of the organizing Committee, said.

“The Indian diaspora organizations will use this opportunity to remember India’s rich tradition, its heroes, people, and their achievements,” said Patel who is also the president of Sardar Patel Fund for Sanatan Sanskruti.

The Indian-American community has significantly contributed to the US in the past 75 years. The achievements include advancements in healthcare, technology, human rights, sustainability, and environmental health, among others, the organizers said in a statement.

Innovation is at the forefront, and the US and India — the oldest and largest democracies — have worked together to further the relationship in many areas, it said.

Ashok Bhatt, former Water Commissioner, California and vice chair of the organizing committee said India’s Ambassador of India to the United States, Taranjit Singh Sandhu will be the guest of honor at Capitol Hill. Several Congressmen are expected to attend the event.

US President Joe Biden has nominated Indian-American attorney Arun Subramanian to be US District Judge for the Southern District of New York.

A communication in this regard was sent to the Senate by the White House along with other judicial nominations.

If confirmed by the Senate, Subramanian would be the first South Asian judge to serve on the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Currently a partner at Susman Godfrey LLP in New York, where he has worked since 2007, Subramanian served as a law clerk for Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court of the United States from 2006 to 2007 and Judge Gerard E. Lynch on the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York from 2005 to 2006.

He also worked as a law clerk for Judge Dennis Jacobs on the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit from 2004 to 2005.

Subramanian received his J.D. from Columbia Law School in 2004 and his B.A. from Case Western Reserve University in 2001.

National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) congratulated Subramanian on his nomination.

AB Cruz III, acting president of NAPABA said Subramanian is an experienced trial and appellate attorney with a strong track record of pro bono service.

A child of immigrants, he became the first lawyer in his family, and we are proud to see him represent our community. We urge the Senate to swiftly confirm him, he said.

Indian-American Impact has welcomed the nomination by describing it as a notable nomination.

South Asians and Asian Americans have long been underrepresented in the federal judiciary with less than five per cent of Article III district judges being of AAPI descent but in the past year we have made historic strides, said Neil Makhija, Indian-American Impact executive-director.

We look forward to celebrating the ultimate confirmation of Subramanian and the ripple effect his presence will undoubtedly have on young South Asian Americans across the country who aspire to public service, Makhija said.

Indian-American Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal has been receiving abusive and hate messages over the phone. On Thursday, she posted a collection of five such audio messages on Twitter.

In all these, portions of which have been redacted because of obscene and abusive content, the male caller is heard threatening her with dire consequences.

In one instance, she is being asked to return to her country of origin, India.

Jayapal said: “A man full of racism and anger showed up at my home with a loaded gun. I’m sharing this because we can’t be silent in the face of rising violence. These aren’t isolated incidents. From the Big Lie to Jan 6 to an armed man at my door, too much is at stake.”

“Typically, political figures don’t show their vulnerability. I chose to do so here because we cannot accept violence as our new norm. We also cannot accept the racism and sexism that underlies and propels so much of this violence,” Jayapal said in another tweet.
Early this summer, a man with a pistol appeared outside the Congresswoman’s house in Seattle. The man, identified by police as Brett Forsell, 49, was arrested later.