Activists have expressed concerns regarding a rally in New York City featuring Mohan Bhagwat, the leader of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which is scheduled for Saturday at Madison Square Garden. The event, called the Universal Oneness Celebration, is organized by the American Hindus for Engagement and Dialogue, a nonprofit that aims to promote peace and harmony. However, various faith groups, advocacy organizations, and unprivileged-caste organizations have raised alarms, suggesting that the rally may serve to obscure a history of discrimination and violence associated with Hindu nationalism.
Bhagwat's organization has faced accusations of fostering discriminatory policies and inciting violence against minorities, including Muslims, Christians, and Sikhs in India. Protests are anticipated outside the venue to oppose Bhagwat’s participation. Safa Ahmed, a Muslim community organizer from North Carolina, expressed skepticism about the event's claims of promoting unity, stating that the reality for minorities in India contradicts these assertions.
Advocates assert that Hindu nationalist groups are attempting to broaden their influence in the United States, where approximately 2.5 million Hindus reside. They argue that such efforts include cultural celebrations and campaigns against anti-Hindu discrimination, aimed at softening the image of the RSS. Sravya Tadepalli, deputy executive director of Hindus for Human Rights, characterized the rally as a goodwill tour intended to improve the public perception of the RSS, which she described as a fascist organization involved in communal violence.
Critics have noted that Hindu nationalists are also forming connections with far-right groups globally, sharing concerns about Islam and secularism. The RSS is regarded as the ideological foundation of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has been in power in India since 2014, promoting Hindu nationalist policies.
BJP Vice President Ram Madhav, speaking at the 2024 National Conservatism Conference, encouraged Western conservatives to view India as a model for countering what he termed the leftist and radical Islamist threats. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who began his political career with the RSS, has actively promoted Hindu nationalism and has addressed large gatherings of Indian expatriates in the US, including a notable event in Texas in September 2019.
Despite Modi's popularity in India, where he is often ranked among the world's most favored leaders, outreach efforts to improve the RSS's image abroad have faced challenges. A recent survey indicated that while Modi retains significant support among Indian Americans, a majority also recognize the dangers his rhetoric poses to minorities in India.
The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has called for Bhagwat’s visa to be revoked, citing his involvement in religious freedom violations. USCIRF Chair Asif Mahmood highlighted the deteriorating conditions for religious minorities in India and urged the US to consider targeted sanctions.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani voiced his opposition to the rally, expressing concern over the rise of exclusionary movements. He stated that while he does not support the event, he questioned the city's authority to cancel it. Ahmed, the community organizer, suggested that the backlash against the event reflects a growing coalition within the Indian diaspora, uniting diverse voices against the politics of Modi and the RSS. She expressed confidence that the rally would face significant opposition.