New York City Mayor Opposes RSS Event at Madison Square Garden

The mayor of New York City, Zohran Mamdani, has come out against the planned event at Madison Square Garden where RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat will address members of the Indian diaspora.

Bhagwat arrived in the US earlier in the day as part of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's centenary-year global outreach programme. He would participate in the Universal Oneness programme and address a gathering of around 5,000 people at MSG on Saturday. For related coverage, explore our detailed analysis on Technology and Digital Systems.

Background and Context

The event has sparked controversy over exclusivity and civic inclusiveness, with several interfaith and civil rights organisations holding a press conference outside New York City Hall opposing Bhagwat's appearance at MSG.

Mamdani said he did not support the rally but expressed uncertainty about the city's jurisdiction to cancel a private event. He also highlighted his own connection to India, stating that he stands in opposition to any movement based on exclusionary visions.

'And it has been incredibly troubling to see the rise of a movement that is predicated on an exclusionary vision of any country, frankly, and so it is one that I find myself in deep opposition to, not only as an Indian-American but also as the Mayor of a city that believes deeply in the belonging of each and every person, no matter their colour, their creed, their religion, their faith, wherever they're from,' Mamdani said.

Mayor's Statement

The Universal Oneness Celebration, organised However, the event's exclusivity has raised concerns among some groups.

'The event carries a timeless and universal message: 'The world is one family'. It calls upon us to look beyond artificial divisions and differences, recognise the bonds that unite humanity, and embrace a spirit of mutual respect, harmony, and oneness,' the post stated.

Bhagwat is visiting the US, Canada, and the UK as part of the Sangh's centenary-year global outreach programme. The future of the event at MSG remains uncertain, with some calling for it to be cancelled.

Read More: 17-year-old girl gangraped in Madhya Pradesh’s Pachmarhi forest, three arrested

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Tuesday stated he does not support the planned event at Madison Square Garden where RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat will address members of the Indian diaspora. However, he stated the city may not have jurisdiction to cancel the "private" event, which is scheduled for August 29.

Bhagwat arrived in the US earlier in the day as part of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's centenary-year global outreach programme. During his stay in New York, he would participate in the Universal Oneness programme and address a gathering of around 5,000 people at the iconic Madison Square Garden (MSG) on Saturday.

"I don't support the rally, but I don't know if the city has any jurisdiction on cancelling a private event," Mamdani stated at a news conference here. The Indian-origin mayor was responding to a question on RSS, the planned event at MSG and the protests against the event. He was requested whether the "rally" at MSG should be cancelled.

"I also stand here as the first Indian-American Mayor in our city's history, and my mother's family is all still in India," Mamdani stated. He stated the vision of India that he was taught "And it has been incredibly troubling to see the rise of a movement that is predicated on an exclusionary vision of any country, frankly, and so it is one that I find myself in deep opposition to, not only as an Indian-American but also as the Mayor of a city that believes deeply in the belonging of each and every person, no matter their colour, their creed, their religion, their faith, wherever they're from," Mamdani stated.

Several interfaith and civil rights organisations held a press conference outside New York City Hall, the seat of the city government, opposing Bhagwat's appearance at MSG and urged the iconic venue to cancel the event. The organisations included Hindus for Human Rights, Indian American Muslim Council and Interfaith Centre of New York, among others.

The Universal Oneness Celebration, organised "The event carries a timeless and universal message: 'The world is one family'. It calls upon us to look beyond artificial divisions and differences, recognise the bonds that unite humanity, and embrace a spirit of mutual respect, harmony, and oneness," the post stated.

Bhagwat is visiting the US, Canada and the UK as part of the Sangh's centenary-year global outreach programme.