EDISON, NJ – A group of state legislators from the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities have released a statement condemning the inclusion of a bulldozer in Edison's India Independence Day Parade.

On Aug. 14, a bulldozer, with a photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indian Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, was part of the parade. The bulldozer is a symbol of the demolition of Muslim homes in India, religious and human rights groups have said. Adityanath, the Chief Minister of the Indian state Uttar Pradesh, is known by the moniker "Baba Bulldozer" for his administration's policy of razing homes and properties of Muslims and critics. More: Muslim Groups Condemn Presence Of Bulldozer At Parade In Edison

“We condemn the inclusion of a bulldozer in Edison’s 2022 India Day Parade and stand with and applaud Mayor Sam Joshi for offering to take steps to ensure an incident like this does not recur. We also note that it was a privately organized and not municipally sponsored event,” the statement said.

The joint statement was released by Assemblyman Raj Mukherji (Chair, Joint Asian Pacific American Caucus), Sen. Vin Gopal (Vice Chair, Joint Asian Pacific American Caucus), Assemblywomen Shama Haider, Sadaf Jaffer, and Ellen Park

The 18th Annual India Day Parade began at the intersection of Cinder Rd & Oak Tree Rd in Edison and ended at Middlesex Ave & Oak Tree Rd in Woodbridge.

The inclusion of the bulldozer “cast a shadow” over the parade which celebrated India’s 75th anniversary of Independence, the legislators said.

“On the most auspicious occasion of India’s 75th Independence Day and the 75th anniversary of U.S.-India diplomatic relations, the bulldozer – which has unfortunately become a symbol of division and hate based on reports of celebrations of Muslim homes being demolished – has cast a shadow over the parade and distressed New Jersey’s vibrant Indian Muslim community and others,” the legislators said in their statement.

“We celebrate New Jersey’s rich diversity and the South Asian American presence in our state and our Legislature, and we are dedicated to an inclusive, welcoming, and safe New Jersey for all.”

The bulldozer became a divisive symbol in India after the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party used them to demolish the homes and livelihoods of the Muslim community. Critics say the demolitions are part of a retaliatory response to Muslims criticizing the Modi administration.

In a statement released earlier, Edison Mayor Sam Joshi said although the event was not sponsored by the municipality, his office was made aware that the bulldozer was “used as a symbol of division and discrimination.”

Joshi said that any symbol or action that represents discrimination is unwelcome in Edison Township and his office is “committed to celebrating and working in harmony with people from all cultures.”

“My office will be working with stakeholders to ensure that celebrations in the future serve the best interest of our community.”

Since the parade, community members and religious leaders have called for accountability on the matter. More: Calls For Accountability Grow Over Bulldozer In Edison Parade

On Agu. 16 The Council on American-Islamic Relations, NJ (CAIR-NJ) and the Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC) issued a statement against the use of the bulldozer in the parade, describing it as a “brazen display of hate.”

The Woodbridge/Perth Amboy chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) also released a statement criticizing what they say was the "offensive" use of a bulldozer. More: Controversial Bulldozer In India Parade Condemned By Woodbridge NAACP

The Indian Business Association, which organizes the parade, did not respond to Patch’s request for comment.

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