At the inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Mayor Eric Admas stated that Hindus in New York City, not only those from India but also those from South Asian and Indo-Caribbean communities,” have a cause of joy and spiritual advancement. The opening of the Ram Mandir enables our city’s largest Indian population to celebrate and evaluate their spirituality, aiding in our collective healing, according to Mayor Adams. Adams responded that the opening of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya is very significant to the Hindu community in New York City when asked about the occasion.
This is crucial if we consider the Hindu community in New York City. It gives them a chance to celebrate and elevate their spirituality, he said.
Eric Adams also went to the city’s Geeta Mandir for a religious event called Mata ki Chowki. Deputy Commissioner of International Affairs Dilip Chauhan, one of his closest allies, joined him. Eric Adams had earlier declared Diwali to be a public school holiday. The declaration was made following the approval of a bill by state legislators that was proposed in 2021 and again in 2022. For more than 20 years, supporters—particularly the Indian American Community of New York—have been working to get the date added to the calendar of public schools.
Dilip Chauhan expressed gratitude to Mayor Adams for declaring Diwali a public holiday in New York City, saying,” I would like to add how Mayor Adams loves the Hindu community and that he is the first in history to declare Diwali a holiday. Adams responded that the opening of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya is very significant to the Hindi community in New York City when asked about it. The movement for Diwali’s official recognition has grown in tandem with the nation’s and New York City’s South Asian population growth.
Over the past three decades, the number of people living in New York City who the Census Bureau has classified as Asian Indian has more than doubled, from 94,000 in 1990 to roughly 213,000 in the 2021 American Community Survey.
Based on his experience as a police captain and as a black man who was subjected to police brutality as a young man, Adams won the mayoral election in New York City in 2021 on promises to increase public safety and give voice to working-class citizens.
In his remarks to the community, Adams did not hold back in accepting the support of the Hindu community, claiming that his success was due to his faith, the Hindu community’s faith, and the blessing of Swami Satyanand, a temple priest at the Geeta Temple in New York.
I am aware that prayer is effective and that when we demonstrate our faith, we are able to conquer all barriers, including the difficulties and challenges that come with holding the office of mayor. I attributed it to my faith.
