Archive · 29 Aug 2026
Mohan Bhagwat Billboard Precedes New York RSS Centenary Event
Mohan Bhagwat leads an organisation called the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, or RSS.
His pictures were shown on a large billboard in Times Square.
The display happened before he was scheduled to speak in New York.
Bhagwat arrived in the United States as part of a tour marking the RSS’s 100th year.
He is expected to speak to about 5,000 people at Madison Square Garden.
The event is called the Universal Oneness Celebration.
Organisers say it will use speeches, music, performances, and art to discuss the idea that the world is one family.
Some civil rights groups and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani have criticised or opposed the event, although Mamdani said the city may not have the authority to stop it.
Images of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat appeared on a Times Square billboard ahead of his Madison Square Garden address.
Bhagwat arrived in the United States on Tuesday during the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s centenary-year outreach tour, which also includes Canada and the United Kingdom.
He is scheduled to address about 5,000 people at the Universal Oneness Celebration at Madison Square Garden.
American Hindus for Engagement and Dialogue is organising the event, described as a landmark Raksha Bandhan gathering focused on universal oneness.
Civil rights groups have criticised the appearance; Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he does not support the event but questioned whether New York City can cancel the private gathering.
- Who
- RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, American Hindus for Engagement and Dialogue, Indian-American community members, civil rights organisations, Mayor Zohran Mamdani, and the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, which was cited as seeking sanctions against the RSS.
- What
- A Times Square billboard displayed Bhagwat’s images before his planned address at the Universal Oneness Celebration.
- When
- Bhagwat arrived Tuesday; the billboard display occurred Friday evening. Reports said the Madison Square Garden event was scheduled for Saturday, while one listing gave August 29 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
- Where
- Times Square and Madison Square Garden in New York City.
- Why
- The billboard promoted Bhagwat’s appearance during the RSS centenary-year global outreach programme.
Organisers and Supporters
Critics and Opponents
Purpose of the gathering
Organisers and Supporters
American Hindus for Engagement and Dialogue describes the event as a landmark Raksha Bandhan gathering focused on universal oneness and the Hindu principle “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” or the idea that the world is one family.
Critics and Opponents
Several civil rights organisations have criticised Bhagwat’s planned appearance, and the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom was reported to have sought sanctions against the RSS.
Whether the event should proceed
Organisers and Supporters
Organisers planned cultural performances, music, artistic presentations, keynote addresses, and Bhagwat’s speech at the private event.
Critics and Opponents
Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he does not support the event, while noting that New York City may not have jurisdiction to cancel a private gathering.
- Speaker
- Mohan Bhagwat, chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh
- Event
- Universal Oneness Celebration
- Organizer
- American Hindus for Engagement and Dialogue
- Venue
- Madison Square Garden, New York City
- Expected attendance
- About 5,000 people
- Billboard message
- “Resolve, Harmony and Dialogue”
- Tour locations
- The United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom
