Mamdani opposes NYC event featuring RSS chief
NEW YORK: New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has voiced opposition to an upcoming Manhattan event featuring Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat, while questioning whether city authorities have the legal power to stop the private gathering.
Bhagwat, who heads the Hindu nationalist organisation widely regarded as the ideological parent of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is scheduled to address an event in Manhattan on August 29.
Mamdani said he did not support the event but acknowledged that the city might not have jurisdiction to cancel a privately organised gathering.
The mayor, who is New York’s first Muslim and Indian American mayor, said his understanding of India was shaped by a vision of the country as a pluralistic and secular republic where people of different backgrounds could belong equally.
He said he was deeply concerned by the growth of political movements based on what he described as an exclusionary vision of India.
Organisers have described the Manhattan gathering as the “Universal Oneness Celebration”. The event is being promoted as a gathering of Hindu Americans focused on cultural heritage, dialogue and interfaith unity.
The organisers, American Hindus for Engagement and Dialogue, say the programme has support from several Hindu American organisations. However, a number of local groups have criticised the event because of Bhagwat’s participation and allegations surrounding the RSS.
The RSS is a highly influential Hindu organisation in India. The BJP, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has historical ideological links to the group.
The organisation has rejected accusations that it promotes intolerance or violence against minorities. It describes itself as a Hindu-centred cultural and civilisational movement and says its objective is to unite Hindus and strengthen the nation.
The US Commission on International Religious Freedom has previously raised concerns about the RSS and alleged involvement in violence and intolerance against minority communities.
The controversy surrounding Bhagwat’s visit comes amid wider international debate over religious freedom and minority rights in India.
United Nations bodies and human rights organisations have raised concerns over reported hate speech, citizenship policies, demolitions of properties belonging to Muslims, changes to the constitutional status of occupied Kashmir and laws related to religious conversion.
The Indian government has rejected allegations that its policies discriminate against minorities. It maintains that its welfare and development programmes are designed to benefit citizens across religious and social groups.
