{
  "id": 3393020,
  "title": "'In deep opposition to, but...': Zohran Mamdani on Mohan Bhagwat’s upcoming RSS rally in New York",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/in-deep-opposition-to-but-zohran-mamdani-on-mohan-bhagwats-upcoming",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-26T01:04:08.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hindustan Times - World News",
    "slug": "hindustan-times-world-news",
    "url": "https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/in-deep-opposition-to-but-zohran-mamdani-on-mohan-bhagwat-upcoming-rss-rally-in-new-york-madison-square-garden-101787704780930.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Mayor Zohran Mamdani of New York City expressed deep concern over the upcoming RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) rally in Manhattan, scheduled to take place at Madison Square Garden. The rally, led by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, was met with criticism from the mayor, who deemed it \"incredibly troubling\" due to its exclusionary vision. Mamdani, the city's first Indian-American mayor, emphasized that his vision for India was one of pluralism and secularism, deeply rooted in his family's values. He stressed that while he opposed the rally, the city government likely lacked the authority to cancel a private event. Some progressive activists and political figures urged Mamdani to cancel the rally, arguing that it undermined India's pluralistic values and the rights of marginalized communities, both in India and internationally. The RSS chief's visit, including stops in Canada and the UK, was part of the organization's centenary celebrations.",
  "summary": "New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has expressed his opposition to a planned event featuring Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat at Madison Square Garden on August 29. According to Live Mint, Mamdani stated that he does not support the rally, but acknowledged that the city may not have the authority to cancel a privately organised gathering.\n\nMamdani's opposition to the event is informed by his family's connection to India and his vision of the country as a \"pluralistic society\" and \"a secular republic\". He finds the rise of an \"exclusionary vision\" deeply troubling, as per Live Mint. The mayor's comments were made at a news conference, where he was asked whether the event should be cancelled.\n\nActivists have also urged Mamdani to cancel the event, with some describing the RSS as an extremist Hindu nationalist movement that has fueled violence, exclusion, and fear for minority communities, according to Middle East Eye. A protest was held under the banner \"No Platform for Hate\", bringing together representatives of various organisations, as reported by The Hindu.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Guardian US",
        "title": "New York business group sues Mamdani over city-owned grocery stores plan",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/new-york-business-group-sues-mamdani-over-city-owned-grocery-stores",
        "published": "2026-08-25T14:48:54.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Middle East Eye",
        "title": "Activists urge Mamdani to cancel Hindu nationalist event in New York City",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/activists-urge-mamdani-to-cancel-hindu-nationalist-event-in-new-york",
        "published": "2026-08-25T16:16:04.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Gulf News",
        "title": "Mamdani says he opposes RSS rally in New York, but unsure of any jurisdiction to cancel it",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/mamdani-says-he-opposes-rss-rally-in-new-york-but-unsure-of-any",
        "published": "2026-08-26T01:29:58.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Economic Times",
        "title": "Mamdani opposes RSS chief's New York rally",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/mamdani-opposes-rss-chiefs-new-york-rally",
        "published": "2026-08-26T02:04:25.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}