The Teaneck Democratic Organisation of New Jersey come under heavy criticism by national American Indian leaders after they passed a controversial resolution that potentially divides the Hindus and Muslims by labelling US Hindu organisations as “foreign hate groups”. The Chairman of the Democrat Municipal Committee Alexandra Soriano Taveras is facing flak by fellow Democratic members after the threat from a national Hindu Organisation. This may hamper the outcomes of the upcoming elections.
Under severe pressure from the Bergen Democratic Leaders, Alexandra Taveras issued a regretful resolution that stated that the bill was a “mischaracterised statement that against Hinduism in general and does not intend to convey to the rise in communal riots and tensions”.
Vin Gopal, the sole south Asian American of the New Jersey Senate condemned the Teaneck Democrats saying that their rhetoric has “unfairly declared almost every Hindu-American organisation that promotes terrorism and hatred”. He added that extremist elements are present in every religion and there are no exceptions for this fact. This is a time for spreading diversity and I strongly condemn/ recession the bill.
There has been no conflict between the Hindus, Muslims and Asians in the Republican and Democratic circles. The Democrats fear the loss of Hindu Support in the election days ahead. According to Gopal, instead of working to unite the residents, the Teaneck Democrats are promoting divisions. The Teaneck Democrats are playing with fire.
The global issues involve the long-time allegations that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a Hindu fundamentalist and he does not give or grant Indian Muslims certain rights such as land ownership. In the Edison Day Parade, a poster displayed the symbol of the destruction of Muslim Property (bulldozer) adorned with the photo of PM Modi. In response, the American Muslim Council that it was a taunt likened to a noose or burning of a Cross at the Ku Klux Khan rally.
As a result of the above events, the Indian Business Association issued an apology. Saladin Maksut, the executive director of the CAIR-NJ said that the group’s involvement was a necessary step toward making future parades that would involve Tribals, Dalits, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians. Maksut added that such hatred was not tolerated. Instead, the parade should involve and celebrate India’s independence and rich culture.
An attorney of the Hindu American Foundation has accused the Muslim Council accusations as false and defamatory. According to a Senate Democratic Leader, The Hindu American Community has faced hate crimes on the grounds of their skin colour and faith along with the Hindu Temples in New Jersey. It is most unfortunate that this committee has illustrated such bigotry and hatred.
Gopal has opposed Tavera’s decision to invoke an FBI investigation regarding an organisation called Sewa International. He said that it is a humanitarian group which provided healthcare assistance to people of all races and regions during the Covid pandemic. Tavera is known to be involved in some controversies. In 2021, She had announced a boycott of Jewish Businesses in Teaneck.
In the month of July 2020, she promoted and encouraged all-white leadership and rejected the bid for a black woman called Gervonne Romany Rice. Ironically, she was her opponent in the Democrats last year. She has called for banning businesses like Dunkin Donuts. In her resolution, she pressurised Bob Menendez, Cory Booker, Phillip Murphy and Teaneck’s legislative decision to become more involved in this issue.
