By: Yuritza Arroyo
Middlesex County authorities announced the results of its investigation into a bias incident that occurred on August 14 in Edison. According to Edison Police, on Friday, August 19, officers received numerous reports concerning a float in the Indian Day Parade on August 14th.
According to Police, the float in question was a bulldozer adorned with signs and slogans expressing support for the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, and the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath.
Both politicians are members of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in India.
According to officials, the complainants reported that the float was an offensive and Islamophobic endorsement of the divisive practice of using heavy machinery to demolish the homes of alleged criminals, protestors, and rioters in India.
Officials say this brand of “bulldozer politics” has been criticized as disproportionately targeting religious-minority communities in India.
As a result of its investigation, the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office has concluded that the incident was reported correctly and classified as a biased incident.
The Prosecutor’s Office has further determined that sufficient probable cause to charge a violation of the law, commonly referred to as Bias Intimidation, does not exist.
The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office reiterates its stance against hate in all forms and will continue to investigate every reported bias incident in our community vigorously and will not hesitate to prosecute consistent with the law.