Sonakshi Sinha and her husband Zaheer Iqbal participated in the 42nd NYC India Day Parade in New York City. The parade, which took place on Sunday, saw the presence of several Bollywood celebrities, including actors Pankaj Tripathi and Manoj Tiwari.
The event featured 40 floats, including a prominent one showcasing the Ayodhya Ram Temple. Attendees sang patriotic songs, danced to the beats of traditional drums, and waved the Indian flag while chanting slogans of national pride. Sonakshi Sinha, who served as the Grand Marshal, was accompanied by her husband, Zaheer Iqbal. Photos and videos from the event have gone viral on social media. However, Sonakshi faced backlash online for being seen near the Ram Temple float.
#WATCH | Visuals of India Day Parade from New York; a carnival float featuring Ram Mandir is also part of the parade pic.twitter.com/EJ25i3JWhy
— ANI (@ANI) August 18, 2024The Ram Temple float drew significant attention during the parade, which started at Madison Avenue and continued from East 38th Street to East 27th Street. In addition to Sonakshi, actors Pankaj Tripathi and Manoj Tiwari were also part of the celebration.
Following the parade, Sonakshi Sinha was trolled online, with some social media users questioning her presence at the event due to her Muslim background. Comments like, “Sonakshi Sinha is Muslim; why did she attend the parade? She should have gone to the Pakistani parade,” surfaced on various platforms, expressing discontent over her participation alongside her husband, Zaheer Iqbal.
#WATCH | BJP MP Manoj Tiwari, actors Sonakshi Sinha and Pankaj Tripathi attend India Day parade in New York pic.twitter.com/RsriTVTzte
— ANI (@ANI) August 18, 2024The India Day Parade in New York City is an annual tradition that celebrates India’s independence. This year marked the 42nd edition of the parade. Despite the grandeur, the inclusion of the Ram Temple float sparked controversy, with representatives of Indian-American Muslims raising objections that were ultimately dismissed.