RSS defends Mohan Bhagwat’s New York event as interfaith engagement amid cancellation calls

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh RSS has defended its chief Mohan Bhagwatrsquos upcoming address in New York as an inclusive interfaith engagement amid criticism from Mayor Zohran Mamdani and several groups demanding the cancellation of the event at Madison Square GardenRSS national publicity chief Sunil Ambekar said Bhagwat would engage with people from different faiths and cultural backgrounds at the ldquoUniversal Oneness Celebrationrdquo scheduled for August 29The event has drawn opposition from several USbased advocacy groups and activists while Bhagwatrsquos supporters have launched a countercampaign urging people to oppose efforts to cancel the programmeRSS calls event an open forum for dialogueldquoThe Universal Oneness Celebration in New York exemplifies an interfaith gathering where RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat ji will communicate with a diverse multicultural and multifaith audiencerdquo Ambekar said in a post on XldquoOrganised in the spirit of open dialogue and mutual respect the event reflects Bharatiya ethos which is fundamentally inclusive and welcoming to all This initiative is in line with longstanding tradition of engagement by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh RSS with varied communities across India and the world fostering understanding and shared purpose We invite anyone interested in learning more about the RSS vision and philosophy to participate in these open forums of dialoguerdquo Ambekar saidThe remarks marked the RSSs clearest response so far to the controversy surrounding Bhagwatrsquos visit and calls from some groups in the US for Madison Square Garden to cancel the eventDiaspora gathering planned with participation of over 100 organisationsThe gathering is being organised by American Hindus for Engagement and Dialogue AHEAD Forum with the participation of more than 100 USbased organisationsOrganisers have promoted the programme around the message that ldquoThe world is one familyrdquo AHEAD has described the gathering as being ldquounited in oneness and enriched by diversityrdquoBhagwat arrived at New Yorkrsquos John F Kennedy International Airport on Tuesday and was welcomed by representatives of the Universal Oneness Celebration according to the events official X accountThe programme is expected to draw around 5000 members of the Indian diaspora according to media reports However organisers have not released a detailed speaking schedule or a complete list of participantsMayor Mamdani opposes programme but questions citys authorityMamdani has publicly opposed the event citing what he described as the RSSrsquos ideological outlookldquoIt has been incredibly troubling to see the rise of a movement that is predicated on an exclusionary vision of any country franklyrdquo the New York mayor saidHe said however that the city might not have the authority to stop a privately organised programmeldquoI donrsquot support the rally but I donrsquot know if the city has any jurisdiction on cancelling a private eventrdquo Mamdani saidMadison Square Garden has not announced any change to the programme and Bhagwatrsquos address is expected to go ahead as scheduled on August 29Rights groups and activists demand cancellationHindus for Human Rights has launched a campaign asking supporters to contact Madison Square Garden and demand the cancellation of Bhagwatrsquos appearanceldquoTake 5 minutes Call Madison Square Gardenrdquo the group said in a post using the hashtag ldquoNoHateAtMSGrdquoThe Indian American Muslim Council Savera United Against Supremacy along with several Sikh Dalit Muslim and civil rights activists have also opposed the gatheringDemonstrators held a protest and news conference outside New York City Hall on Tuesday as opposition to the event intensifiedBrad Lander a former New York City comptroller and Democratic congressional nominee also joined the criticismldquoThere is no room for Mohan Bhagwat and RSS hatred in our cityrdquo Lander saidBhagwat supporters launch countercampaignSupporters of Bhagwat have responded with a countercampaign urging members of the community to contact Madison Square Garden and oppose demands for the programmes cancellationAmerican singer Mary Millben also criticised Mamdani and accused opponents of targeting Bhagwat because of their opposition to Prime Minister Narendra ModiThe New York programme forms part of the RSSrsquos international outreach during its centenary year Bhagwatrsquos overseas visit includes engagements in the United States Canada and the United Kingdom and is being undertaken at the invitation of overseas community organisationsWith inputs from IANS