- RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat landed in the US on Tuesday as part of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's centenary-year global outreach, which also includes visits to Canada and the UK.
- Billboards in New York's busiest square are promoting Bhagwat's upcoming address to Indian expats at Madison Square Garden.
- Bhagwat is set to speak to around 5,000 people at Madison Square Garden on Saturday at an event billed as a 'landmark Raksha Bandhan gathering'.
Mohan Bhagwat's address at Madison Square Garden is part of a broader initiative by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to connect with the Indian diaspora. The event is expected to draw significant attention, with billboards across New York promoting the gathering.2
During his speech, Bhagwat emphasized the importance of education in society, stating, "If we do not keep educating the society, then the deflections creep in..." He also highlighted the RSS's humanitarian efforts, recalling their response to a 1996 plane crash involving predominantly Muslim passengers, where they provided aid without discrimination.
Bhagwat articulated a vision for a united humanity, asserting, "If you want to call yourself Hindu, you must believe that all paths are leading to the same..." He addressed concerns about the RSS's stance on Muslims, clarifying, "If any Hindu thinks that there should be no Muslim in Bharat, he will not remain Hindu." He criticized contemporary politics as self-serving, advocating for a proactive role in shaping policies.
The event is not just a cultural gathering but a strategic outreach to influence the Indian community abroad, aiming to foster unity and understanding among diverse religious groups.
“Bhagwat's tour also includes Canada and the UK as part of the Sangh's centenary-year outreach. At the 'One World One Humanity' event, he said, 'If any Hindu thinks that there should be no Muslim in Bharat, he will not remain Hindu.'”
