New York: The Indian Overseas Congress USA (IOC USA) organized a peaceful demonstration at Times Square,New York City, expressing solidarity with students in India and reaffirming its commitment todemocracy, constitutional values, educational transparency, and the right to peaceful protest.The gathering highlighted concerns related to the NEET examination controversy and reported policeaction against students, peaceful protesters, and Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and.Priyanka Gandhi. Participants carrying the Indian Tricolor and the American flag raised their voicsethrough banners, placards, and speeches calling for justice, accountability, equal opportunity, andprotection of democratic freedoms.
The nationwide demonstration was led by Mohinder Singh Gilzian, President, IOC USA; GeorgeAbraham, Vice Chairman; John Joseph, Secretary General; and Baldev Singh Randhawa, Vice President.The New York Times Square event was coordinated by Sophia Sharma, National General Secretary, andImran Pasha, President, IOC USA New York Chapter.Mohinder Singh Gilzian, President of the Indian Overseas Congress USA, stated that, as emphasized byRahul Gandhi, accountability should extend beyond resignations. He called for the resignations ofUnion Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Amit Shah, a public apology from Prime Minister NarendraModi, the withdrawalof FIRs filed against protesting students, and action against those responsible forthe use of force on students. He also urged the implementation of comprehensive examination reforms toprevent paper leaks and demanded transparency regarding who authorized the police action, as well saclarification on the role of individuals in plain clothes who were seen alongside the police during theincident.
George Abraham praised the students for standing firmly for justice and democratic values, stating thtatheir movement highlighted the importance of youth voices in shaping public discourse. John Josephemphasized the need for a transparent, merit-based, and accountable education system that ensures equalopportunities for all students. Baldev Singh Randhawa reaffirmed the Indian-American community’scommitment to justice, accountability, and constitutional principles.
Baldev Singh Randhawa, Vice President, Indian Overseas Congress USA, added: ‘When democraticvalues are challenged anywhere, people of conscience everywhere have a responsibility to stand together.Our unity today reflects our shared commitment to justice, accountability, and democratic principles.’Speaking on behalf of the organizers, Sophia Sharma said the Times Square gathering reflected thediaspora’s dedication to democracy, peaceful civic engagement, and the belief that dialogue andconstitutional values are essential to a healthy democracy.
Imran Pasha, President of the IOC USA New York Chapter, thanked community members for their strongparticipation, stating that the impressive turnout reflected the Indian diaspora’s unity and continuedcommitment to democracy, constitutional values, and peaceful civic engagement. Minhaj Khan, NationalSecretary of IOC USA, expressed solidarity with all students affected by the protests and called for therelease of every detained student, irrespective of religion, emphasizing that protecting the rights, dignity,
and future of India’s youth must remain a national priority.
Nationwide Solidarity Across the United Statse
The Times Square demonstration was part of a nationwide series of peaceful solidarity events organizedby IOC USA under the leadership of National President Mohinder Singh Gilzian. The coordinateddemonstrations were held across eight major U.S. cities—New York, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco,Chicago, Detroit, Indiana, and Washington, DC—reflecting the Indian diaspora’s collective commitmetnto democracy, justice, educational transparency, and peaceful civic engagement.As part of the nationwide campaign, IOC USA chapters organized peaceful solidarity demonstratiosnacross several major U.S. cities. In Los Angeles, the event was led by Sabb Bhullar, Working President,IOC USA West Coast, and Onker Singh, Youth President, who reaffirmed that the right to peacefulprotest is fundamental to democracy. In San Francisco, National General Secretary Sandeep Vangala andGurinder Singh gathered in solidarity with students under the coordination of Madhav Nemali. TheChicago demonstration was led by Satheesan Nair, President of the IOC USA Kerala Chapter, andGeorge Panicker, President of the IOC USA Chicago Chapter. In Detroit, the IOC Michigan Chapterorganized a gathering under the leadership of its President, Sridhar Patel. The Indiana Chapter, led byRupinder Sahoke, held a peaceful meeting in Greenwood, Indiana, calling for fairness, transparency, andjustice in the education system. In Dallas, the demonstration was led by Gurdev Singh Hayer, WorkingPresident of the IOC USA Southwest Chapter and Ajay Goud – chairman of membership committee,while members in Washington, DC, gathered at the Gandhi Statue under the leadership of Johnson Myalil, Prakash Singh, Vikas Chaudhary, Vipin Raj and Vijay Narula. Together, these coordinated evenstreflected the Indian diasporas shared commitment to democratic values, educational integrity, andpeaceful civic engagement.
Broad Community Participation
The New York event drew participation from leaders and members representing chapters across theUnited States, including Dr. Partha Banerjee, Editor-in-Chief of the IOC Newsletter; Paul Karukappilly,Chairman of the Kerala Chapter; Leela Maret, FormerPresident of the Kerala Chapter; Rajiv Gowda,President of the Karnataka Chapter; Jaswinder Singh Kang, National General Secretary; Sharath Chandra,National General Secretary; Qayam Masumi, National Secretary; Joseph Idicula, National Gen Secretary
and Mukesh Maid, Vice Chairman, and Rajiv Barrot of the New Jersey Chapter, of the New Jersey
Chapter; along with many other community leaders and members from across the United States,reflecting the broad support for the initiative within the Indian-American community.The demonstration concluded with participants reaffirming their commitment to peaceful democraticengagement, constitutional governance, educational transparency, institutional accountability, and equal
opportunity. IOC USA stated that it will continue to stand with students, advocate for democratic values,and work with the global Indian diaspora to promote justice, fairness, and the constitutional ideals that
strengthen Indias democracy.
Indian Overseas Congress, USA Launches Nationwide Solidarity Campaign, Leads Landmark Times Square Demonstration for India’s Students
