Voices of Resistance

Protesters gather against Indian PM Narendra Modi’s visit to New York.

By Anvee Bhutani

A group of protesters stands holding placards in front of the Nassau Coliseum sign displaying Modi’s picture.

As Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in New York to address the Indian diaspora, a thriving protest surged in the streets outside Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Long Island. The demonstrators, representing a comprehensive coalition of religious and political groups, came with one message: Modi's divisive politics and human rights record are not welcome here.

One protester holds a sign saying ‘butcherer of Gujrat not welcome here’.

New York City has long been a hub for activism, serving as a global platform for those who seek justice and equality. This weekend’s protests echoed the long-standing tradition of New Yorkers showing up against authoritarianism, no matter where it happens.

A group of protesters against Modi stand with flags and posters.

Sikh protester Jasbir Singh lost 26 family members in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. “We didn't stand for Modi in 2015 when he visited, and we don't stand for him now,” he said. Singh is one of many Sikhs who had faced violence on behalf of the Hindu majority government and are now advocating for the Sikh separatist movement—Khalistan.

A Sikh protester points ahead as he chants as part of the crowd.

Singh’s words reflect the persistence of diaspora activism, showing how events thousands of miles away in India resonate here.

New York’s immigrant communities showed out to the protest by the dozens—many of whom have witnessed violence, displacement, or discrimination back home. Their decision to start a new life in America oftentimes is directly due to their unfair treatment in Hindu India.

A group of protesters against Modi stand behind a metal barrier with flags and posters including cardboard cutouts of Modi’s face. A Nassau county police officer stands facing them.

Navjot Singh, a Sikh activist and protest organizer, highlighted the need for New York to be the battleground for voices of resistance. “Modi claims to represent all Indians, but we’re here to remind people that his vision of India excludes Muslims, Sikhs, and other minorities.”

A Sikh man stands with a sign calling out Hindutva.

His words were directly about his experience. “When the government controls your kitchen, that’s a problem,” he added.

For the protesters, the visit further normalizes the far-right and populist ideology. “Modi’s nationalism is dangerous, just like Trump’s was,” said Imam Saffet from the UN-backed nonprofit Justice for All.

Imam Saffet wears a keffiyeh and Muslim cap as he stands holding a poster protesting Hindutva.

As Modi attempted to project his leadership onto the world stage, New Yorkers—and their allies—stood outside chanting, “Modi face of Hindu terror”.