Interfaith Coalition Protests Mohan Bhagwat's Madison Square Garden Appearance

In a spirited display of unity, the Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC) and various interfaith organizations held a press conference on August 25, 2026, in New York, voicing their objections to an upcoming event featuring Mohan Bhagwat, the chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), scheduled for August 29 at Madison Square Garden.

The protest, titled "No Platform for Hate," attracted representatives from Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Christian, Dalit, and other faith groups. They urged New York City officials, including Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani, to reconsider allowing Bhagwat a stage, labeling him a proponent of Hindu supremacy and the RSS as an anti-minority organization.

Safa Ahmed from IAMC emphasized that New York should not endorse what she called a violent ideology, while Brad Lander, a congressional candidate, remarked that Bhagwat's presence would threaten the safety of diverse communities in the city. Lander stated, "We fight for the rights of people who worship differently… everyone’s safety is bound together here.”

Critics, including Kylie Madhav of Hindus for Human Rights, argued that Bhagwat's message of 'Oneness' does not extend to all, particularly lower castes in India. Kshipra Uke from the Dalit Solidarity Forum cited Bhagwat’s inaction regarding the release of rapists involved in a notable case as further evidence of his problematic stance.

Japneet Singh from the Sikh Coalition clarified that the protest is not against Hinduism itself but against Hindu nationalism. He asserted, "This is not Hindu versus Sikh. This is about whether New York will stand for democracy and pluralism, or endorse an ideology that prioritizes religious extremism over equality.”

Bhagwat's visit to the U.S. is part of a broader global outreach initiative by the RSS, aimed at connecting with the Indian diaspora and promoting the idea of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam," or the world as one family. However, the protests underscore the tensions surrounding the event and the ideological divisions it represents.

Source: www.thehindu.com