A recent appearance by New Jersey Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli alongside Indian religious preacher Devkinandan Thakur has sparked criticism among sections of the Indian American community. Thakur, who has been accused of making inflammatory remarks against India’s religious minorities, appeared with Ciattarelli at a public event in New Jersey in late August.
Videos and images from the event circulating online show the two sharing a platform, drawing concern from civil rights advocates who say such appearances risk legitimizing figures associated with hate speech.
In a statement, the Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC) expressed “deep disappointment” over Ciattarelli’s participation, saying that Thakur “has built his reputation on demonizing minorities and glorifying violence.” IAMC president Mohammed Jawad said that political leaders in the U.S. should avoid engaging with individuals “whose actions and words undermine the values of pluralism and democracy.”
Thakur, an influential preacher based in India, has previously led campaigns targeting historic mosques in Mathura and Varanasi and has supported calls to “reclaim” religious sites. He has been linked to events in India where extremist rhetoric was used against minority communities.
Critics say Thakur’s organization, the Vishwa Shanti Sewa Charitable Mission, registered as a nonprofit in the U.S., has been involved in fundraising for projects in India that promote sectarian narratives. He has also propagated the “love jihad” conspiracy theory, which falsely alleges a plot by Muslim men to convert Hindu women through marriage.
The controversy comes as U.S.-based Indian community organizations continue to debate the political influence of Hindu nationalist figures within the diaspora. IAMC has urged Ciattarelli to publicly clarify his position and to engage with a wider range of Indian American groups representing different faiths and communities.
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