IAMC and allied faith organisations protest against Mohan Bhagwat’s event at Madison Square Garden

The Indian American Muslim Council and allied faith groups convened a press conference in New York on August 25 to oppose an upcoming event where Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat would speak at Madison Square Garden on August 29. The protest, under the slogan "No Platform for Hate," gathered representatives from Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Christian, Dalit, and interfaith organizations.

The organizers called upon New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani to prevent Madison Square Garden from hosting Mr. Bhagwat, who they accused of promoting Hindu supremacist ideology and being part of an "anti-minority" organization. Mayor Mamdani stated that he does not support Bhagwat's proposed event, but acknowledged the city might lack legal authority to cancel the privately organized program.

Safa Ahmed of IAMC emphasized that New York City should not associate its prestigious venue with violent supremacist ideology. Brad Lander, a U.S. Congressional candidate, added that there is "no room" for Bhagwat and the RSS's hatred in New York City, stressing that safety for diverse religious and cultural communities is interconnected.

Kylie Madhav of Hindus for Human Rights highlighted that Bhagwat is touring New York to speak on "Oneness," while she believes his message is primarily for upper-caste individuals in India. Kshipra Uke of the Dalit Solidarity Forum accused Bhagwat of failing to address the release of rapists after Bilkis Bano's case. Sikh Coalition of New York's Japneet Singh clarified that his protest is not against Hinduism but Hindu nationalism, urging New York to stand for democracy, pluralism, and religious freedom.

Sarita Pandey from Save America From Hindutva warned that if the event proceeds, it would serve as global proof of Bhagwat's welcome in New York. Mr. Bhagwat is scheduled to visit the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom as part of the RSS's centenary-year global outreach program. The RSS states that the visit aims to engage with Indian diaspora communities and broader audiences, highlighting India's cultural traditions and the concept of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (the world is one family).