27 Aug 2026 (Navroze Bureau) : The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has responded to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s opposition to an upcoming event featuring RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, inviting anyone interested in understanding the organisation to attend and engage in dialogue.
The RSS described the “Universal Oneness Celebration” in New York as an interfaith gathering centred on open dialogue, mutual respect and an inclusive Indian ethos.
RSS Defends Bhagwat’s New York Event
RSS communications chief Sunil Ambekar said the event would bring together a diverse, multicultural and multi-faith audience.
He said the programme was being organised in the spirit of open dialogue and mutual respect and would reflect what the RSS described as the inclusive nature of the Indian tradition.
‘Invite Everyone Interested’
In a direct response to the controversy, the RSS said people interested in learning about its vision and philosophy were welcome to participate in open forums for discussion.
The organisation presented the event as an opportunity for engagement rather than confrontation, emphasising dialogue with different communities.
Mamdani Opposes the Rally
The RSS response came hours after Mamdani said he did not support Bhagwat’s planned event at Madison Square Garden.
At a news conference, Mamdani said he opposed the rally but was unsure whether New York City had jurisdiction to cancel a private event.
Mamdani Calls RSS Vision ‘Exclusionary’
Mamdani said the India he learned about through his family was a pluralistic society and secular republic where every person should feel a sense of belonging.
He said he was troubled by what he described as the rise of an “exclusionary vision” and linked his opposition to the RSS event to his broader views on inclusion and pluralism.
Event Scheduled for August 29
Bhagwat is scheduled to address the Indian diaspora at Madison Square Garden on August 29 as part of the RSS’s centenary-year global outreach programme.
The event, organised under the banner of the “Universal Oneness Celebration,” is expected to attract around 5,000 people, according to reports.
Opposition From US Groups
The event has also faced criticism from several US-based organisations, including the Indian American Muslim Council, Interfaith Center of New York and Hindus for Human Rights.
These groups have raised objections to Bhagwat’s appearance and called attention to concerns surrounding the RSS and its ideology.
RSS Rejects Criticism
The RSS has rejected allegations that it promotes intolerance and portrays itself as a cultural organisation focused on Hindu society, unity and social engagement.
Its latest statement seeks to frame Bhagwat’s US visit as part of a broader effort to engage with diaspora and other communities and address perceptions about the organisation.
Free Speech and Political Debate
The dispute has also raised questions about the limits of a mayor’s authority over privately organised events.
While Mamdani has publicly expressed opposition, he has acknowledged that the city may not have the legal power to cancel the gathering. The controversy has consequently become part of a wider debate over free expression, political ideology and diaspora politics.
Bhagwat’s Wider US Outreach
Bhagwat’s New York appearance is part of a three-country visit covering the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom during the RSS’s centenary year.
The organisation says the outreach aims to strengthen connections with Indian-origin communities and explain its philosophy to international audiences.
What Happens Next
With the event still scheduled, the controversy is likely to continue ahead of Bhagwat’s New York appearance.
The RSS has made clear that it wants the programme to remain open to those interested in understanding its views, while Mamdani and several advoc