6 days ago
USCIRF Seeks Visa Ban as RSS Defends Bhagwat Event
Mohan Bhagwat, the leader of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, plans to speak at an event in New York.
The event is scheduled for August 29 at Madison Square Garden.
The organizers say it will bring together people from different religions and cultures.
They say the event will promote peace, open conversation, and the idea that the world is one family.
A US commission called USCIRF wants Bhagwat’s visa cancelled.
It also wants him prevented from entering the United States again.
USCIRF says RSS-linked groups have harmed or encouraged violence against religious minorities in India.
India and the RSS reject those criticisms, while several advocacy groups oppose the event.
X suspended the event organizer’s account, but it has not explained why.
USCIRF urged the US government to revoke Mohan Bhagwat’s visa and bar him from future entry.
The commission alleged that RSS subgroups have carried out violent attacks and incitement against religious minorities in India.
Bhagwat is scheduled to address the August 29 Universal Oneness Celebration at Madison Square Garden in New York.
RSS and the AHEAD Forum describe the gathering as an inclusive, interfaith event focused on dialogue and mutual respect.
India rejected USCIRF’s criticism, while opposition groups called for cancellation and X suspended the organizer’s account without giving a reason.
- Who
- Mohan Bhagwat, the RSS, USCIRF, the AHEAD Forum, Indian officials, New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, and groups opposing the event.
- What
- USCIRF called for Bhagwat’s visa to be revoked and for him to be barred from future US entry, while the RSS defended his planned address.
- Where
- The Universal Oneness Celebration is scheduled at the Infosys Theatre inside Madison Square Garden in Manhattan, New York City.
- When
- Bhagwat arrived in the United States on August 25; USCIRF issued its latest statement on August 26; the event is scheduled for August 29.
- Why
- USCIRF cited alleged religious-freedom violations involving minorities in India; the RSS and India rejected the allegations and defended the event.
USCIRF and Event Opponents
RSS, Organizers and India
Bhagwat’s US entry
USCIRF and Event Opponents
USCIRF urged the US government to revoke Bhagwat’s visa and bar him from future entry, citing alleged religious-freedom violations. Its recommendations are advisory and not binding US policy.
RSS, Organizers and India
India rejected USCIRF’s position, calling the commission biased and lacking credibility, while the RSS defended Bhagwat’s planned appearance.
Characterization of the RSS
USCIRF and Event Opponents
USCIRF alleged that RSS subgroups have been involved in violent attacks and incitement targeting religious minorities. Advocacy groups including Hindus for Human Rights and the Indian American Muslim Council opposed the event.
RSS, Organizers and India
The RSS said the gathering reflects an inclusive Bharatiya ethos and its engagement with different communities to promote understanding and shared purpose.
Event purpose and safety
USCIRF and Event Opponents
Opponents called for the programme to be cancelled, and Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he did not support it. The Hindu American Foundation urged attendees to remain alert amid alleged disruption efforts, while identifying no specific security threat.
RSS, Organizers and India
The AHEAD Forum said the event would include more than 200 Hindu American organizations, cultural performances and speakers from different faith traditions in an open interfaith programme.
Key facts
- USCIRF request
- The commission urged targeted sanctions, including revoking Bhagwat’s visa and making him ineligible for future US entry.
- USCIRF allegation
- USCIRF alleged that RSS subgroups have perpetrated violent attacks and incitement against religious minorities in India.
- Event date and venue
- The Universal Oneness Celebration is scheduled for August 29 at the Infosys Theatre inside Madison Square Garden.
- Organizer
- The event is being organized by American Hindus for Engagement and Dialogue, also known as the AHEAD Forum.
- Expected attendance
- The AHEAD Forum’s fact sheet lists expected attendance at about 6,000, while another report cited approximately 5,000 members of the Indian diaspora.
- India’s response
- Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal called USCIRF biased and accused it of making incorrect and provocative statements.
- RSS position
- RSS described the gathering as a diverse, multicultural and multi-faith forum centered on open dialogue and mutual respect.
- X suspension
- X suspended the AHEAD Forum’s account without publicly explaining the reason; the organization said it believed the suspension may have been an error and appealed it.
Quotes
Zohran Mamdani
Mayor of New York City
“We urge the U.S. government to consider targeted sanctions against RSS members and Indian officials complicit in religious freedom violations, including revoking the visa issued to Mohan Bhagwat and making him ineligible for future entry into the United States.”
thestatesman.com
“The Universal Oneness Celebration in New York exemplifies an interfaith gathering where RSS Sarsangchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat ji will communicate with a diverse, multicultural, and multi-faith audience.”
thestatesman.com
United States Commission on International Religious Freedom
A US Congress-constituted advisory body on international religious freedom
“We all know this is a biased institution. For years, it has made incorrect and provocative statements about India. We should ignore such institutions, as they have their own agendas and lack credibility”
livemint.com
“The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is deeply concerned about the visit of Mohan Bhagwat, chief of India's Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), to the United States.”
thehansindia.com
wionews.com
Sources
Revoke Bhagwat's visa ahead of NY event
X suspends account of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s event organiser; US Congress body demands visa revocation
Mohan Bhagwat in New York: US rights body again opposes RSS chief's visit, seeks visa revocation, entry ban
‘Inclusive and open to all’: RSS defends Mohan Bhagwat’s NY event; USCIRF seeks visa revocation
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