Mayor Mamdani Voices Concerns Over Hindu Nationalist Rally in NYC

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani expressed his disapproval of an upcoming rally featuring Mohan Bhagwat, the leader of the Hindu nationalist organization Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The event, advertised as the "Universal Oneness Celebration," is set for this Saturday in Manhattan.

While Mamdani acknowledged his opposition to the event, he stated he lacks the authority to cancel it, emphasizing the constraints of city jurisdiction over private gatherings. "The vision of India that I was taught by my family was of a pluralistic society of a secular republic," he remarked, sharing his concern about the rise of exclusionary ideologies.

Organizers, American Hindus for Engagement and Dialogue, assert that the rally promotes unity within the Hindu community. However, it has drawn criticism from various local organizations due to the RSS's controversial history. The RSS, linked to India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has faced accusations of fostering intolerance against minorities, a claim it disputes, presenting itself as a cultural movement aimed at unifying Hindus.

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has highlighted the RSS's involvement in violence against minority groups, raising alarms about the current climate of religious intolerance in India.

Source: www.independent.co.uk