NYC Mayor Mamdani opposes RSS chief Bhagwat's Madison Square event

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani expressed his opposition to an upcoming event in his city that will feature Mohan Bhagwat, leader of the Hindu nationalist group closely related to India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Bhagwat is set to speak at a Manhattan event on Saturday, according to the event's website. Mamdani, the first Muslim and Indian American mayor of New York City, stated that he does not support the rally but is unsure if the city has jurisdiction to cancel a private event.

The mayor emphasized his belief in a pluralistic, secular Republic that values the inclusion of every person in India. The event, dubbed the "Universal Oneness Celebration," aims to bring together the Hindu American community and promote shared heritage and interfaith unity. Organizers, American Hindus for Engagement and Dialogue, claim support from several Hindu American groups and highlight the event's focus on cultural unity.

However, many local organizations have criticized the event due to Bhagwat's attendance and the RSS's controversial history. The RSS, a powerful Hindu group that played a role in the formation of India's ruling BJP, defended its foreign visits, including to the US, as efforts to counter perceptions of being a paramilitary organization involved in attacks on minority communities.

The US Commission on International Religious Freedom has accused the RSS of involvement in extreme violence and intolerance against minority groups for decades. The RSS denies these allegations, describing itself as a Hindu-centric civilizational and cultural movement focused on elevating India to its pinnacle of glory, including uniting Hindus.

United Nations and human rights groups have noted a rise in abuse against Indian minorities, citing increased hate speech, a religion-based citizenship law, the demolition of Muslim-owned properties, the removal of autonomy from Muslim-majority Kashmir, and an anti-conversion legislation that challenges freedom of belief. The BJP-led Indian government denies discriminatory intentions and asserts that its policies, such as food subsidy programs and electrification drives, benefit all communities.