Mamdani is against RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s Madison Square Garden event — Here’s what he said
“I don't support the rally, but I don't know if the city has any jurisdiction on cancelling a private event,” Mamdani said at a news conference when asked whether the event should be cancelled.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has voiced his opposition to a planned event at Madison Square Garden featuring Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat. Mamdani, the city's first Indian-American mayor, stated that he does not support the rally, but is unsure if the city has the authority to cancel a private event.
The mayor, who was raised with the vision of India as a pluralistic society and secular republic, finds the rise of an exclusionary nationalist vision deeply troubling. He is committed to ensuring that each person in the city is treated with belonging, regardless of their background. Several interfaith and civil rights organizations have joined in protesting Bhagwat's scheduled appearance, calling for Madison Square Garden to cancel the event.
The opposition stems from criticism that the RSS promotes an exclusionary vision of Indian nationalism. The event's organizers claim it will promote unity and harmony, describing it as the Universal Oneness Celebration. Bhagwat's visit to New York as part of the RSS's centenary-year global outreach program has become a contentious issue, with supporters viewing it as a celebration of unity and opponents demanding the cancellation of his appearance.
Written by urgent.news from Live Mint's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
