Mamdani opposes NYC event with leader of India's Hindu nationalist group

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has expressed his opposition to an upcoming event in his city featuring Mohan Bhagwat, the leader of the Hindu nationalist group Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The event, titled the Universal Oneness Celebration, is scheduled for August 29 and aims to bring together the Hindu American community.

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 RSS, which is the ideological parent of India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has been criticized for its history of extreme violence and intolerance against minority communities.

The US Commission on International Religious Freedom has also accused the RSS of involvement in acts of violence against minorities. Local organizations have criticized the event due to Bhagwat's attendance and the RSS's history, while the BJP-led Indian government denies any discriminatory policies.

Brief written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.