New York
Members of the Hindu diaspora gathered in New York City’s Times Square for a digital billboard campaign and public rally organised to voice concerns over recent remarks made by the Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai during a Supreme Court of India hearing. The voiced opposition was organised by Stop Hindu Genocide.
The community on November 8, wrote an open letter addressed to CJI Gavai, circulated by organisers and available on the website StopHinduGenocide.org. The letter referred to a September 16 hearing involving a petition to restore a historic idol of lord Vishnu at the Khajuraho temple site, overseen by the Archaeological Survey of India. During the proceedings, the CJI reportedly suggested the petitioner seek divine intervention through prayer, a comment that some interpreted as dismissive of Hindu beliefs.
The event, which commenced in Duffy Square in New York City (Times Square) on November 8 and will reportedly go on till November 12, drew attention to what organisers described as a perceived insensitivity toward Hindu religious sentiments, urging a formal apology from the CJI. The Hindu group also targeted other Supreme Court judges, including former Chief Justices DY Chandrachud and UU Lalit, retired judge Abhay S Oka, and CJI-designate Justice Surya Kant, over past judgments and remarks they had made. The campaign featured digital billboards displaying messages calling for accountability and respect for Hindus.
The participants were mainly Hindu NRIs and Hindu Americans, who carried banners highlighting a series of judicial rulings they believe warranted greater consideration of cultural and religious contexts.