New York, NY | July 26, 2026
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 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 Rahul Gandhi and 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 Mohinder Singh Gilzian, President of 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 of the IOC USA New York Chapter.
Mohinder Singh Gilzian, President of the Indian Overseas Congress USA, stated that, as emphasized by Rahul Gandhi, accountability should extend beyond resignations. He called for the resignations of Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Amit Shah, a public apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the withdrawal of FIRs filed against protesting students, and action against those responsible for the use of force on students. He also urged the implementation of comprehensive examination reforms to prevent paper leaks and demanded transparency regarding who authorized the police action, as well as clarification on the role of individuals in plain clothes who were seen alongside the police during the incident.
George Abraham praised the students for standing firmly for justice and democratic values, stating that their movement highlighted the importance of youth voices in shaping public discourse. John Joseph emphasized the need for a transparent, merit-based, and accountable education system that ensures equal opportunities for all students. Baldev Singh Randhawa reaffirmed the Indian-American community’s commitment to justice, accountability, and constitutional principles.
Baldev Singh Randhawa, Vice President of the Indian Overseas Congress USA, added: “When democratic values 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 the diaspora’s dedication to democracy, peaceful civic engagement, and the belief that dialogue and constitutional values are essential to a healthy democracy.
Imran Pasha, President of the IOC USA New York Chapter, thanked community members for their strong participation, stating that the impressive turnout reflected the Indian diaspora’s unity and continued commitment to democracy, constitutional values, and peaceful civic engagement. Minhaj Khan, National Secretary of IOC USA, expressed solidarity with all students affected by the protests and called for the release 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 States
The Times Square demonstration was part of a nationwide series of peaceful solidarity events organized by IOC USA under the leadership of National President Mohinder Singh Gilzian. The coordinated demonstrations 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 commitment to democracy, justice, educational transparency, and peaceful civic engagement.
As part of the nationwide campaign, IOC USA chapters organized peaceful solidarity demonstrations across several major U.S. cities. In Los Angeles, the event was led by Sabb Bhullar, Working President of IOC USA West Coast, and Onker Singh, Youth President, who reaffirmed that the right to peaceful protest is fundamental to democracy. In San Francisco, National General Secretary Sandeep Vangala and Gurinder Singh gathered in solidarity with students under the coordination of Madhav Nemali. The Chicago demonstration was led by Satheesan Nair, President of the IOC USA Kerala Chapter, and George Panicker, President of the IOC USA Chicago Chapter. In Detroit, the IOC Michigan Chapter organized a gathering under the leadership of its President, Sridhar Patel. The Indiana Chapter, led by Rupinder Sahoke, held a peaceful meeting in Greenwood, Indiana, calling for fairness, transparency, and justice in the education system. In Dallas, the demonstration was led by Gurdev Singh Hayer, Working President of the IOC USA Southwest Chapter, and Ajay Goud, Chairman of the 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 events reflected the Indian diaspora’s shared commitment to democratic values, educational integrity, and peaceful civic engagement.
Broad Community Participation
The New York event drew participation from leaders and members representing chapters across the United States, including Dr. Partha Banerjee, Editor-in-Chief of the IOC Newsletter; Paul Karukappilly, Chairman of the Kerala Chapter; Leela Maret, Former President 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 General Secretary; Mukesh Maid, Vice Chairman; and Rajiv Barrot 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 democratic engagement, 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 India’s democracy.
