Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Canadian Groups Back RSS Chief Visit, Demand Evidence-Based Review
More than 100 Canadian groups want Mohan Bhagwat to be allowed to visit Canada.
Some politicians and organisations want the government to stop him from entering.
They say he has been connected to serious accusations.
The groups supporting his visit say those accusations need strong, independently checked evidence.
They also question whether his visit would actually create danger or disorder.
The supporters say Canadian Hindus should receive the same treatment as other communities.
They agree that peaceful protests and criticism are allowed.
However, they say blocking a visit because of unproven claims would be unfair.
They are asking the government to use evidence and legal procedures instead of political pressure.
More than 100 Canadian organisations urged Ottawa to support Mohan Bhagwat’s proposed visit.
The groups said allegations against Bhagwat require credible, independently verifiable evidence.
NDP MPs Jenny Kwan and Heather McPherson have called for Bhagwat to be barred.
Supporters questioned claims that Bhagwat or the RSS could threaten public safety or cause disorder.
The letter framed the dispute as a test of pluralism, religious freedom and equal treatment.
- Who
- More than 100 Canadian organisations and civil liberties groups support Mohan Bhagwat’s proposed visit; NDP MPs Jenny Kwan and Heather McPherson are among those calling for him to be blocked.
- What
- The groups sent a letter urging the Canadian government to assess Bhagwat’s entry through evidence, law and due process.
- When
- The letter was issued amid calls to prevent Bhagwat from entering Canada; no specific date is provided.
- Where
- Canada.
- Why
- The supporting organisations say serious allegations against Bhagwat and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh require credible evidence and that exclusion could raise concerns about equality, pluralism and religious freedom.
Supporters of Bhagwat’s Visit
Calls to Block Bhagwat’s Entry
Evidence for allegations
Supporters of Bhagwat’s Visit
The supporting groups say allegations against Bhagwat and the RSS must be backed by clear, credible and independently verifiable evidence.
Calls to Block Bhagwat’s Entry
NDP MPs and other organisations have cited concerns serious enough to call for Bhagwat to be prevented from entering Canada and declared inadmissible.
Public safety
Supporters of Bhagwat’s Visit
The signatories question what specific incidents show that Bhagwat or the RSS caused disorder in Canada or that his visit would threaten public safety.
Calls to Block Bhagwat’s Entry
Those seeking to block the visit have raised concerns about Bhagwat’s alleged conduct and potential public safety implications.
Community impact
Supporters of Bhagwat’s Visit
The groups say exclusion without substantiated evidence could make Canadian Hindus feel they are being held to a different standard and could contribute to perceptions of anti-Hindu prejudice.
Calls to Block Bhagwat’s Entry
Opponents argue that concerns about Bhagwat’s alleged record should be considered by Canadian authorities, even though the article does not provide their detailed response to the letter.
- Signatories
- More than 100 Canadian organisations and community groups signed the letter.
- Proposed visitor
- Mohan Bhagwat, chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.
- Government recipients
- Prime Minister Mark Carney and ministers Gary Anandasangaree, Lena Metlege Diab and Anita Anand.
- Opposition to entry
- NDP MPs Jenny Kwan and Heather McPherson, along with other organisations, have called for Bhagwat to be declared inadmissible.
- Community cited
- The letter says Canada has more than one million Canadians of Hindu heritage.
- Supporters’ position
- The signatories say allegations of hate speech, violence, intimidation or criminal links should not be treated as established without clear, credible evidence.
- Requested standard
- The organisations called for decisions based on established law, credible evidence and due process rather than speculation or political rhetoric.