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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline AUGUST 07, 2026 | The Indian Eye 30

IOC, USA Launches Nationwide Solidarity Campaign, Leads

Landmark Times Square Demonstration for India’s Students

OUR BUREAU
New York, NY
he Indian Overseas Congress USA (IOC
USA) organized a peaceful demonstration
Tat Times Square, New York City, expressing
solidarity with students in India and reaffirming its
commitment to democracy, constitutional values,
educational transparency, and the right to peaceful
protest.
The gathering highlighted concerns related to
the NEET examination controversy and reported
police action against students, peaceful protesters,
and Congress leaders, including Shri Rahul Gandhi
and Smt. Priyanka Gandhi. Participants carrying the
Indian Tricolor and the American flag raised their
voices through banners, placards, and speeches
calling for justice, accountability, equal opportunity,
and protection of democratic freedoms.
The nationwide demonstration was led by Mo-
hinder Singh Gilzian, President, IOC USA; George
Abraham, 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, and
Imran Pasha, President, IOC USA New York Chapter.
Mohinder Singh Gilzian, President of the Indi-
an Overseas Congress USA, stated that, as empha-
sized by Shri Rahul Gandhi, accountability should
extend beyond resignations. He called for the res-
ignations of Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan
and Amit Shah, a public apology from Prime Min- the diaspora’s dedication to democracy, peaceful chapters organized peaceful solidarity demon-
ister Narendra Modi, the withdrawal of FIRs filed civic engagement, and the belief that dialogue and strations across several major U.S. cities. In Los
against protesting students, and action against those constitutional values are essential to a healthy de- Angeles, the event was led by Sabb Bhullar, Work-
responsible for the use of force on students. He also mocracy. ing President, IOC USA West Coast, and Onker
urged the implementation of comprehensive ex- Imran Pasha, President of the IOC USA New Singh, Youth President, who reaffirmed that the
amination reforms to prevent paper leaks and de- York Chapter, thanked community members for right to peaceful protest is fundamental to democ-
manded transparency regarding who authorized the their strong participation, stating that the impres- racy. In San Francisco, National General Secretary
police action, as well as clarification on the role of sive turnout reflected the Indian diaspora’s unity Sandeep Vangala and Gurinder Singh gathered in
individuals in plain clothes who were seen alongside and continued commitment to democracy, con- solidarity with students under the coordination of
the police during the incident. stitutional values, and peaceful civic engagement. Madhav Nemali. The Chicago demonstration was
George Abraham praised the students for Minhaj Khan, National Secretary of IOC USA, led by Satheesan Nair, President of the IOC USA
standing firmly for justice and democratic values, expressed solidarity with all students affected by Kerala Chapter, and George Panicker, President
stating that their movement highlighted the impor- the protests and called for the release of every de- of the IOC USA Chicago Chapter. In Detroit, the
tance of youth voices in shaping public discourse. tained student, irrespective of religion, emphasiz- IOC Michigan Chapter organized a gathering under
John Joseph emphasized the need for a transparent, ing that protecting the rights, dignity, and future the leadership of its President, Sridhar Patel. The
merit-based, and accountable education system that of India’s youth must remain a national priority. Indiana Chapter, led by Rupinder Sahoke, held a
ensures equal opportunities for all students. Baldev peaceful meeting in Greenwood, Indiana, calling
Singh Randhawa reaffirmed the Indian-American Nationwide Solidarity Across the United States for fairness, transparency, and justice in the educa-
community’s commitment to justice, accountability, The Times Square demonstration was part of a tion system. In Dallas, the demonstration was led by
and constitutional principles. nationwide series of peaceful solidarity events orga- Gurdev Singh Hayer, Working President of the IOC
Baldev Singh Randhawa, Vice President, Indi- nized by IOC USA under the leadership of National USA Southwest Chapter and Ajay Goud - chair-
an Overseas Congress USA, added: “When dem- President Mohinder Singh Gilzian. The coordinat- man of membership committee, while members in
ocratic values are challenged anywhere, people ed demonstrations were held across eight major Washington, DC, gathered at the Gandhi Statue
of conscience everywhere have a responsibility to U.S. cities—New York, Dallas, Los Angeles, San under the leadership of Johnson Myalil, Prakash
stand together. Our unity today reflects our shared Francisco, Chicago, Detroit, Indiana, and Washing- Singh, Vikas Chaudhary, Vipin Raj and Vijay Naru-
commitment to justice, accountability, and demo- ton, DC—reflecting the Indian diaspora’s collective la. Together, these coordinated events reflected the
cratic principles.” commitment to democracy, justice, educational Indian diaspora’s shared commitment to democrat-
Speaking on behalf of the organizers, Sophia transparency, and peaceful civic engagement. ic values, educational integrity, and peaceful civic
Sharma said the Times Square gathering reflected As part of the nationwide campaign, IOC USA engagement.

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