Mamdani opposes Mohan Bhagwat's New York event
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has voiced opposition to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's proposed event.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani opposed the proposed event of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat at Madison Square Garden. However, he stated that the city's mayor does not have the authority to cancel this private event scheduled for August 29. Mamdani mentioned that if the mayor had the authority, Bhagwat's event would not take place in New York City.
RSS chief Bhagwat arrived in the USA on Tuesday. He is on a visit to the USA as part of the global outreach campaign for the centenary year of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). During his stay in New York, he will participate in the 'Universal Oneness Celebration' on Saturday and address around 5,000 people of Indian origin at Madison Square Garden.
Mamdani said at a press conference here,
“I do not support this rally, but I am not sure if the city's mayor has the authority to cancel a private event.”
The Indian-origin Mayor Mamdani was asked about the protests against RSS, the event at Madison Square Garden, and Bhagwat's presence. When asked if the event should be canceled, he said he opposes it but also questioned the jurisdiction of the city's mayor.
Mamdani stated,
“I stand here as the first Indian-American mayor in our city's history, and my mother's entire family is still in India.”
He said his family taught him to view India as
“a pluralistic society and a secular republic that believes in equal rights and space for everyone connected to India.”
Mamdani said,
“It has been deeply disturbing to see the rise of a movement based on a singular religious perspective of any country.” He stated that he deeply opposes such an ideology, not only as an Indian-American but also as a mayor of a city that believes in equal participation and respect for every individual, regardless of their color, faith, religion, or origin.
Outside New York City Hall, several interfaith and civil rights organizations held a press conference opposing Bhagwat's presence at Madison Square Garden and demanded the event be canceled at the venue. These organizations included Hindus for Human Rights, Indian American Muslim Council, and Interfaith Center of New York among others.
The 'Universal Oneness Celebration' is being organized by the AHEAD Forum, which is hosting Bhagwat. The forum stated in a social media post that the RSS chief will participate in this event in New York on August 29.
Mamdani's statement comes at a time when some activists and political figures associated with progressive leftist ideology are demanding the mayor cancel Bhagwat's rally at Madison Square Garden.
Former Seattle City Council member and candidate for the US House of Representatives Kshama Sawant said on the social media platform X,
“By refusing to use his mayoral position to condemn Bhagwat and the RSS and cancel the event, Mamdani is failing to stand with Muslims and other oppressed communities in India and Palestinian people.”
She further stated that Modi's right-wing government has moved further towards authoritarianism than Trump, and it is the responsibility of socialists to speak out against it.
Members of the UNITED STATES COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM (USCIRF) have also urged the US government not to extend diplomatic privileges to Bhagwat and to impose a ban on the RSS. In recent US elections, Indian-American political candidates have faced increasing scrutiny from progressive leftist groups in American politics. These groups have raised questions about their connections with donors and political groups associated with Hindu nationalist organizations. US Senate members Thanedar and Raja Krishnamoorthi have both faced criticism for their associations with Hindu nationalist organizations.
Both senators will leave the House of Representatives early next year. Thanedar lost to progressive candidate Donovan McKinney in the election, while Krishnamoorthi decided not to run for re-election to the House and attempted to contest the US Senate election from Illinois, but this effort was also unsuccessful.
RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat arrived in the United States on Tuesday. According to the organisation, his multi-day visit is related to the centenary celebrations of the Sangh. During this trip, Bhagwat will also visit Canada and the United Kingdom.