New York:
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat arrived in New York on Tuesday as part of the first leg of his 17-day, three-country tour covering the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Members of the Indian-American community welcomed him at John F. Kennedy International Airport. The tour is being organized as part of the RSS’s global outreach programme marking its centenary year.
‘Universal Oneness Celebration’ at Madison Square Garden
Event Details: Mohan Bhagwat is scheduled to address members of the Indian diaspora on August 29 at the iconic Madison Square Garden during the ‘Universal Oneness Celebration’, organized by the ‘American Hindus for Engagement and Dialogue’ (AHEAD) forum.
Theme and Message: The event is being organized around the occasion of Raksha Bandhan and will seek to connect the festival’s message with global harmony, unity, and civic responsibility. The programme will also feature cultural performances.
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani Takes a Strong Position
Opposition to the Rally: New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, the city’s first Indian-American mayor, has expressed his disagreement with the event, stating that he does not support the rally and opposes exclusionary politics.
Administrative Authority: Mamdani said that, for him, India represents a pluralistic and secular republic. However, he also acknowledged that it is not clear whether the city administration has the legal authority to cancel a private event.
USCIRF Demand and India’s Strong Response
USCIRF Recommendation: The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) had called on the U.S. government not to provide diplomatic facilities to RSS leaders and had also sought restrictions against the organization.
India’s Response: Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described USCIRF as a “biased institution” and rejected its comments and reports, calling them misleading and one-sided.
The controversy surrounding Bhagwat’s visit has brought renewed attention to debates over the RSS, religious freedom, pluralism, and the role of diaspora organizations in the United States.
:
