- Mayor Zohran Mamdani expressed his deep opposition to the planned Madison Square Garden event featuring RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, citing an exclusionary vision associated with the movement in India.
- Mamdani noted that the city may not have the jurisdiction to cancel a private event, emphasizing the limitations of his office in this matter.
- Interfaith and civil rights groups protested outside New York City Hall, demanding the cancellation of Bhagwat's event, which is scheduled for August 29.
- Bhagwat is set to address the Indian diaspora at Madison Square Garden as part of the RSS's centenary-year global outreach programme.
- RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat arrived in the United States on Tuesday as part of a multi-day visit linked to the group's centenary celebrations, which also includes stops in Canada and the UK.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani voiced strong opposition to the upcoming Madison Square Garden rally featuring RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, describing the movement's rise as "incredibly troubling" and based on an exclusionary vision.127
"I also stand here as the first Indian American mayor in our city's history... the vision of India that I was taught... was of a pluralistic society," Mamdani stated, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity.
Despite his opposition, Mamdani acknowledged the city's likely lack of jurisdiction to cancel the event, which is part of the RSS's centenary celebrations. He remarked, "I don’t support the rally, but I don’t know if the city has any jurisdiction on cancelling a private event."34
The rally, scheduled for August 29, is expected to attract around 5,000 attendees and promote a message of global unity. However, several interfaith and civil rights organizations, including Hindus for Human Rights and the Indian American Muslim Council, have protested against Bhagwat's appearance, calling for the event's cancellation.5
Former Seattle city council member Kshama Sawant criticized Mamdani for not using his position to condemn Bhagwat, stating, "By refusing to use his Mayoral position to cancel the event... he is failing to stand with Muslims and other oppressed communities in India."
The US Commission on International Religious Freedom has also urged the US government to reconsider diplomatic courtesies extended to Bhagwat and to impose sanctions on the RSS.
“Mamdani, the first Indian American mayor in the city's history, cited his family's roots in India and his vision of a 'pluralistic society' and 'secular republic.' The event, part of the RSS's centenary outreach, is expected to draw around 5,000 people, while groups like Hindus for Human Rights and USCIRF have called for its cancellation or sanctions.”
News18
