1 week ago
Mamdani Opposes Bhagwat’s Madison Square Garden Event, Citing City Limits
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he does not support an event featuring Mohan Bhagwat, the leader of the RSS.
The event is planned for August 29 at Madison Square Garden.
Organisers expect about 5,000 people to attend.
Mamdani said he grew up believing India should be a secular and pluralistic country where everyone belongs.
He said an exclusionary idea of national identity troubles him.
However, he was unsure whether the city could legally stop a private event.
Several groups have asked Madison Square Garden to cancel it.
The organisers say the gathering is about unity, harmony and shared human connections.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he does not support RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s August 29 event at Madison Square Garden.
Mamdani said he was unsure whether the city had jurisdiction to cancel the privately organised gathering.
Bhagwat is scheduled to address about 5,000 Indian diaspora members at the Universal Oneness Celebration.
Civil rights, faith and community groups urged Madison Square Garden to cancel Bhagwat’s appearance.
Organiser AHEAD Forum says the programme promotes unity, mutual respect, harmony and the idea that “the world is one family.”
- Who
- New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, AHEAD Forum, and civil rights, faith and community organisations.
- What
- A planned Universal Oneness Celebration at Madison Square Garden featuring an address by Bhagwat.
- Where
- Madison Square Garden in New York City; opponents held a press conference outside New York City Hall.
- When
- Mamdani made his comments on Tuesday, August 25, 2026; the event is scheduled for August 29, 2026.
- Why
- Mamdani and critics object to what they describe as an exclusionary vision associated with the RSS, while organisers say the event promotes unity, mutual respect and harmony.
Critics and opponents
Organisers and RSS representatives
Whether the event should proceed
Critics and opponents
Mamdani said he opposes the rally, while civil rights, interfaith and community organisations urged Madison Square Garden to cancel Bhagwat’s appearance.
Organisers and RSS representatives
AHEAD Forum is organising the private programme and plans cultural, spiritual, faith and community programming alongside Bhagwat’s address.
The event’s message and the RSS
Critics and opponents
Mamdani and critics describe the movement associated with the RSS as promoting an exclusionary vision of national identity and say it conflicts with pluralism and equal belonging.
Organisers and RSS representatives
AHEAD Forum says the gathering encourages people to look beyond divisions, recognise common human bonds and promote “mutual respect, harmony and oneness.” The RSS disputes accusations of intolerance and describes itself as a Hindu-centric civilisational and cultural movement.
City authority to intervene
Critics and opponents
Mamdani said he does not support the event but was uncertain whether New York City had jurisdiction to cancel a private gathering.
Organisers and RSS representatives
Organisers and the venue have been left to determine whether the programme continues; no city cancellation has been announced.
Key facts
- Event
- Universal Oneness Celebration
- Date and venue
- August 29, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York City
- Expected attendance
- Around 5,000 members of the Indian diaspora
- Featured speaker
- Mohan Bhagwat, chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh
- Organiser
- AHEAD Forum, or American Hindus for Engagement and Dialogue
- Opposition
- Hindus for Human Rights, the Indian American Muslim Council, the Interfaith Centre of New York and other organisations urged Madison Square Garden to cancel the event.
- International tour
- Bhagwat’s centenary-year outreach programme includes the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.
Quotes
Sravya Tadepalli
Deputy executive director of Hindus for Human Rights
“And it has been incredibly troubling to see the rise of a movement that is predicated on an exclusionary vision of any country, frankly, and so it is one that I find myself in deep opposition to, not only as an Indian-American but also as the Mayor of a city that believes deeply in the belonging of each and every person, no matter their colour, their creed, their religion, their faith, wherever they're from.”
theprint.in
livemint.com
rediff.com
wionews.com
“The vision of India that I was taught by my family and one that I grew up being very familiar with was of a pluralistic society of a secular Republic that believed in the belonging of each and every person who was from India. And it has been incredibly troubling to see the rise of a movement that is predicated on an exclusionary vision.”
thehansindia.com
NDTV
thestatesman.com
wionews.com
AHEAD Forum
Organizer of the Universal Oneness Celebration
“The event carries a timeless and universal message: ‘The world is one family’. It calls upon us to look beyond artificial divisions and differences, recognise the bonds that unite humanity, and embrace a spirit of mutual respect, harmony, and oneness.”
telegraphindia.com
freepressjournal.in
theprint.in
m.rediff.com
indianexpress.com
Sources
NYC Mayor Mamdani Opposes Bhagwat’s Madison Square Garden Event
NYC mayor Zohran Mamdani opposes RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat Madison Square Garden event - Telegraph India
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NYC Mayor Mamdani Opposes RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat's Madison Square Garden Event
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NYC Mayor Mamdani opposes RSS chief Bhagwat’s Madison Square event
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