New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has voiced his opposition to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat’s planned address at Madison Square Garden, saying the organisation’s vision of India conflicts with his understanding of the country as a pluralistic and secular society.
Bhagwat is scheduled to address around 5,000 members of the Indian diaspora on August 29 at an event titled “Universal Oneness Celebration”. The programme is being organised by the American Hindus for Engagement and Dialogue (Ahead) Forum as part of the RSS centenary celebrations.
Mamdani says he does not support rally
Speaking at a news conference on Tuesday, Mamdani addressed calls from civil rights and interfaith organisations seeking cancellation of the event.
“I don’t support the rally, but I don’t know if the city has any jurisdiction over cancelling a private event,” Mamdani said.
Mamdani, New York City’s first Indian-American mayor, also described the India he was familiar with while growing up as a pluralistic society.
He said his understanding of India was shaped by the idea of a secular republic where every person belonging to the country had a place.
The mayor said he was strongly opposed to what he described as the emergence of an “exclusionary” form of politics.
He added that his opposition was rooted both in his identity as an Indian-American and his position as mayor of a city that, he said, believes in the belonging of people regardless of their colour, creed, religion or faith.
Groups demand cancellation of event
Mamdani’s remarks came after demonstrations outside New York City Hall by a coalition of civil rights, Hindu and interfaith organisations.
Among the groups involved were Hindus for Human Rights, the Indian American Muslim Council and the Interfaith Center of New York.
The organisations have urged City Hall and Madison Square Garden management to intervene and cancel the booking.
They have raised concerns about the RSS and its ideology, arguing that Bhagwat’s appearance at the prominent New York venue could give a platform to an organisation they consider exclusionary.
The controversy has also sparked a broader debate over political ideology, free expression and the representation of India’s diverse diaspora in the United States.
Organisers defend Bhagwat event
The Ahead Forum has rejected criticism of the programme and defended its stated message of unity and harmony.
According to the organisers, the event is based on the Indian philosophical concept Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, generally translated as “the world is one family”.
The organisers said the gathering aims to promote mutual respect, harmony and shared bonds across cultural and religious communities.
Bhagwat arrives in New York
Bhagwat has already arrived in New York for the first stop of his international tour covering the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.
He was welcomed at John F Kennedy International Airport by members of the Ahead Forum and representatives of the Indian-American community.
Community leaders greeted the RSS chief with a traditional tilak ceremony, using kumkum and akshat, while organising volunteers presented garlands.
The planned August 29 programme at Madison Square Garden is expected to draw significant attention amid the ongoing debate surrounding the RSS, its ideology and its role among Indian diaspora communities abroad.
