"Eric Adams Chooses Not to Attend Ceremony Celebrating Anti-Muslim Proponent"
Kajal Shingala, a controversial Hindu activist known for her inflammatory rhetoric, has become a contentious figure in New York City politics. Her recent involvement in local events has highlighted the growing tensions within the city's diverse South Asian community and the increasing politicization of religious identity in American politics.
### Hate Speech Incidents
Shingala, also known as Kajal Hindusthani, has been accused of delivering several anti-Muslim hate speeches. One such instance occurred in India where she alleged that Muslim fruit vendors and eateries were injecting medicines to render Hindus impotent and infertile[1]. This led to a communal clash, resulting in Shingala's arrest on charges of inciting riots and outraging religious feelings[1].
### Impact on New York City Politics
Mayor Eric Adams was initially scheduled to attend an event in Queens, New York, featuring Shingala. However, he later withdrew his attendance after facing pressure from local community groups who urged him to disavow Shingala due to her divisive rhetoric[1][2].
Over two dozen South Asian and interfaith organizations issued a letter calling on Mayor Adams to denounce Shingala and better understand the issue of "Hindu supremacy" in the West[1]. The incident highlights the challenges faced by American politicians when engaging with international religious and political conflicts locally. It demonstrates how local political decisions can intersect with global religious tensions, forcing politicians to navigate complex international implications[2].
### Speeches and Arrests
Shingala's speeches often advocate for violence against Muslims in India and boycotts of non-Hindu businesses. She has been arrested in India on charges of propagating hate speech[1]. Shingala is currently on a speaking tour in the US, with stops in Texas, Georgia, and other states[1].
The Gujarati Samaj of New York, which is hosting the dinner, and other event organizers initially promoted the mayor's attendance at the event as the guest of honor. However, following the backlash, the mayor withdrew his attendance[1]. Kajal Shingala's speeches frequently advocate for only patronizing Hindu businesses and refusing to buy goods from Muslims[1].
In a 2024 speech in northwestern India, Shingala said, "If you buy from Abdul to save five rupees, Abdul will use the same money to behead your child, to pick up your daughters, and to defend terrorists in court."[1]
An interfaith coalition has criticized a float in New York City's India Day Parade, which featured a model of a Hindu temple built on the site of a mosque destroyed by Hindu vigilantes in 1992, as an effort to "celebrate ongoing violence and terror against 200 million Indian Muslims."[1]
Sources: [1] The New York Times [2] The Washington Post
- Kajal Shingala, known for her divisive rhetoric, has been accused of delivering hate speeches in New York, advocating for violence against Muslims and boycotting non-Hindu businesses.
- The New York City political scene has been impacted by Shingala's presence, as Mayor Eric Adams faced pressure to denounce her after initially planning to attend an event featuring her.
- The general-news and crime-and-justice sections have reported on Shingala's arrests in India for inciting riots and outraging religious feelings, as well as her ongoing speaking tour in the US.
