Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat’s upcoming event in New York has sparked controversy, with protests expected outside the venue and a US-based Hindu advocacy organisation urging attendees to remain vigilant and avoid confrontation.
Bhagwat is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the Universal Oneness Celebration on August 29 at Madison Square Garden. The event, organised by the American Hindus for Engagement and Dialogue (AHEAD) Forum, is being presented as a gathering focused on shared heritage, unity and interfaith dialogue. Organisers say more than 200 Hindu-American organisations are participating.
Hindu American Foundation Issues Advisory
The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) has issued a community security advisory ahead of the event. It asked people attending the programme to remain alert, stay aware of their surroundings and keep interactions civil.
The organisation also alleged that activists opposed to the RSS and Bhagwat’s appearance had attempted to disrupt or cancel the celebration. HAF urged attendees not to engage in confrontations and called on New York City authorities to ensure the safety and civil rights of everyone attending the event.
Protests Planned Outside Venue
Several organisations have criticised Bhagwat’s appearance and are expected to demonstrate against the event. Groups including Hindus for Human Rights, the Indian American Muslim Council and the Interfaith Center of New York have opposed the programme and raised concerns about the RSS and its ideology.
The controversy has also drawn political attention in New York. Mayor Zohran Mamdani has said that he does not support the event, describing the RSS’s vision as exclusionary. At the same time, Mamdani acknowledged that the city may not have the legal authority to cancel a privately organised gathering.
RSS Defends Bhagwat’s Visit
The RSS has rejected criticism surrounding the programme. Its communications chief Sunil Ambekar described the gathering as an opportunity for open dialogue and mutual respect. The organisers have said the celebration is based on the principle of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”, or “The World Is One Family.”
The controversy has intensified following a statement from the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), which urged the US government to consider targeted sanctions against RSS members and revoke Bhagwat’s visa over allegations related to religious freedom in India. The RSS rejects allegations that it promotes intolerance, while the Indian government has previously dismissed such criticism as biased.
With the August 29 event approaching, organisers and supporters are preparing for heightened attention, while the Hindu American Foundation is calling for calm, vigilance and peaceful conduct. The developments are likely to keep the debate over the RSS, religious freedom and the Indian diaspora in the United States in the spotlight.
