RSS chief’s visit to US denounced as ‘goodwill tour’ for Hindu nationalism | Protests News
An upcoming event in New York City featuring a prominent Hindu nationalist has ignited concern among various faith groups and advocacy organizations. The gathering, called the Universal Oneness Celebration, is set to take place on Saturday at Madison Square Garden and is organized by American Hindus for Engagement and Dialogue, a nonprofit that promotes the idea of “the world is one family.”
Critics, however, are questioning the event’s sincerity. They argue that the rally offers a platform for Mohan Bhagwat, leader of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a Hindu paramilitary organization accused of fostering discrimination and violence against minorities in India, particularly against Muslim, Christian, and Sikh populations.
Protests are expected outside Madison Square Garden during the event. Safa Ahmed, a community organizer from North Carolina, expressed skepticism about the event’s message of unity. “This is a movement that has normalized mob violence against Muslims and attacks on Muslim men in relationships with Hindu women,” she said. “Their talk of unity stands in stark contrast to the brutal reality faced by minorities in India.”
The planned rally reflects broader efforts by Hindu nationalist organizations to extend their influence in the United States, where approximately 2.5 million Hindus reside. These groups have employed various strategies to reshape the image of the RSS, promoting celebrations of Hindu culture and highlighting alleged discrimination against Hindus.
Sravya Tadepalli, deputy executive director of Hindus for Human Rights, characterized the event as a PR effort aimed at improving the public perception of the RSS. “This is kind of a goodwill tour for a fascist paramilitary organization that has been engaged in decades of communal violence against religious minorities in South Asia,” she said.
Critics also point out that Hindu nationalist groups have sought to connect with the global far-right, uniting over shared concerns about Islam and secularism. The RSS is widely regarded as the ideological parent of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has governed India since 2014 and pursued policies aligned with Hindu nationalist ideals.
In recent remarks at the 2024 National Conservatism Conference, BJP Vice President Ram Madhav encouraged Western conservatives to view India as a model for combating what he termed the “left, liberal, Marxist, radical Islamist cabal.”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who began his political career as an RSS member, has consistently advocated for Hindu nationalism. He has also taken his message abroad, notably during a 2019 rally in Texas attended by 50,000 people, which underscored his popularity among the Indian diaspora. Modi faced significant backlash related to his prior political conduct, including a ban from entering the U.S. due to his management during the 2002 Gujarat riots, which resulted in the deaths of many Muslims.
Despite his popularity in India, recent surveys indicate a divide among Indian Americans regarding the politics of Modi and the RSS. While Modi receives substantial support for his leadership, approximately 70% of respondents in a survey acknowledged concerns about the threats facing minorities in India.
The controversy surrounding Bhagwat’s scheduled appearance at Madison Square Garden has drawn attention from the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, which called for his visa to be revoked. The commission stated that Bhagwat is “complicit in religious freedom violations,” citing increasing violence against minority communities in India.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has also raised concerns, stating, “It has been incredibly troubling to see the rise of a movement that is predicated on an exclusionary vision of any country.” He expressed doubt that the city could intervene to prevent the event but stated his opposition to it.
Ahmed characterized the backlash against the upcoming rally as indicative of a growing coalition within the Indian diaspora that opposes the politics of Modi and the RSS. “There is a vocal minority in the diaspora and a new, emerging majority who don’t want to see them gain traction here,” she said. Ahmed predicted that the event would result in a strong rejection of Bhagwat’s presence, asserting, “He is not welcome.”
