New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has said he does not support an upcoming event in Manhattan featuring Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat, amid controversy over the Hindu nationalist organisation’s presence in the city.

Bhagwat is scheduled to address an event at Madison Square Garden on August 29. The gathering is being promoted as the “Universal Oneness Celebration” by American Hindus for Engagement and Dialogue and is intended to mark shared heritage and interfaith unity within the Hindu American community. 

Mamdani said he opposed the event but questioned whether New York City authorities had the legal power to cancel a privately organised gathering. “I don’t support the rally,” he said, while adding that he was unsure whether the city had jurisdiction to stop it.

Mamdani Raises Concerns Over RSS

The mayor criticised what he described as an exclusionary political vision associated with the RSS. He contrasted it with the idea of India that he said he grew up with — a pluralistic and secular republic in which every Indian has a sense of belonging. (Internazionale)

The RSS is widely described as the ideological parent of India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The organisation, however, describes itself as a cultural movement focused on uniting Hindus and rejects allegations that it promotes intolerance towards minorities. (Reuters)

Bhagwat Event on August 29

Bhagwat's appearance is scheduled for Saturday, August 29, at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan. The event has attracted opposition from several local and interfaith organisations, which have raised concerns about the RSS leader's visit and the organisation's ideology.

The controversy comes as the RSS marks its centenary, with Bhagwat undertaking engagements outside India as part of the organisation's anniversary-related activities.

Debate Over City’s Authority

Mamdani's comments also highlighted a distinction between opposing the event politically and having the authority to prevent it from taking place.

Because the gathering is a private event, Mamdani said he was uncertain whether the city could legally cancel it. His remarks therefore amount to opposition to the event rather than an announcement that City Hall intends to block the programme. 

The issue has triggered a wider debate among community and interfaith groups in New York over religious freedom, political expression and the presence of Hindu nationalist organisations in the United States.

Community Groups Voice Opposition

Several organisations have also spoken out against the planned appearance. Interfaith groups have called on Mamdani to take a stronger position against Bhagwat's visit, while activists have raised concerns about the RSS and its record on minorities.

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has previously criticised the RSS and accused it of contributing to intolerance towards religious minorities. The RSS disputes such characterisations. (Reuters)

The event is expected to draw attention in New York as Bhagwat's scheduled appearance approaches, with the dispute putting questions of free expression, religious identity and political ideology at the centre of the debate.