Archive · 27 Aug 2026
Mamdani Opposes Bhagwat’s New York RSS Event, Citing Exclusion
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he does not support an event featuring RSS leader Mohan Bhagwat.
The event is planned for Madison Square Garden in Manhattan on Saturday, August 29.
Organizers call it the Universal Oneness Celebration and say it will bring together Hindu Americans and people of different faiths.
About 5,000 people are expected to attend.
Mamdani said India should be a secular and pluralistic country where everyone belongs.
He described the RSS’s outlook as exclusionary.
Critics say the RSS has been linked to violence and intolerance against religious minorities.
The RSS says it is a Hindu-centered cultural movement and denies those accusations.
Mamdani also said New York City may not have the legal authority to cancel a private event.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he opposes an upcoming event featuring RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.
Mamdani said the city might not have jurisdiction to cancel the privately organized event.
The Universal Oneness Celebration is scheduled for Saturday, August 29, at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan.
Organizers expect about 5,000 Indian diaspora members and describe the gathering as promoting Hindu heritage and interfaith unity.
Critics accuse the RSS of intolerance toward minorities, while the RSS and Indian government reject those characterizations.
- Who
- New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, and American Hindus for Engagement and Dialogue, the event’s organizer, are central to the dispute.
- What
- Mamdani said he opposes Bhagwat’s planned New York appearance but questioned whether the city could cancel it.
- When
- Mamdani made the remarks on Tuesday; the event is scheduled for Saturday, August 29. Bhagwat’s broader North America outreach includes a planned Canada visit from August 31 to September 1.
- Where
- The event is scheduled at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan, New York City.
- Why
- Mamdani objects to what he calls the RSS’s exclusionary vision, while organizers say the event celebrates Hindu American heritage and interfaith unity.
Mamdani and Critics
Organizers and RSS
RSS ideology and record
Mamdani and Critics
Mamdani and critics describe the RSS as advancing an exclusionary vision and accuse it of intolerance or violence against religious minorities.
Organizers and RSS
The RSS rejects those accusations and describes itself as a Hindu-centered civilisational and cultural movement focused on uniting Hindus.
Whether the event should proceed
Mamdani and Critics
Mamdani said he opposes the rally, while activists and several New York Democrats have called for it to be cancelled.
Organizers and RSS
Organizers describe the gathering as an interfaith event celebrating Hindu American heritage, shared identity, and unity.
Government and international criticism
Mamdani and Critics
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom has called for sanctions against RSS members and urged that its leaders not receive high-level meetings or diplomatic courtesies.
Organizers and RSS
The Indian government has rejected such criticism as biased and lacking credibility, and denies that its policies discriminate against minorities.
- Event name
- Universal Oneness Celebration
- Scheduled date
- Saturday, August 29
- Venue
- Madison Square Garden, Manhattan
- Expected attendance
- About 5,000 members of the Indian diaspora
- Organizer
- American Hindus for Engagement and Dialogue
- Scheduled speaker
- Mohan Bhagwat, chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh
- Legal issue
- Mamdani said New York City may lack jurisdiction to cancel a private event
