Protests as India’s Hindu nationalists take centre stage in New York

Demonstrators rallied against a celebration in New York City that was hosting Mohan Bhagwat, chief of the RSS.

Mohan Bhagwat, head of the Hindu nationalist group RSS, is set to speak in New York City on Saturday

Hindu nationalist leader spurs protests and calls for sanctions ahead of New York City speech  AP News

Mohan Bhagwat, chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, is scheduled to address about 5,000 members of Indian American groups at Madison Square Garden arena.

Activists have called on New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani to denounce and cancel the event due to the organisation's targeting of minorities.

NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani voiced opposition to an upcoming event featuring RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, calling the Hindu nationalist group's ideology "exclusionary" while acknowledging the city can't block a private event.

Mayor Mamdani opposes NYC event with leader of India's Hindu nationalist group  Dawn

"I don't support the rally, but I don't know if the city has any jurisdiction to cancel a private event," Mamdani, who is the first Muslim and Indian American mayor of New York City, said.

Mohan Bhagwat, chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, is scheduled to speak at a Manhattan event on Aug 29.

Mamdani opposes NYC event with leader of India's Hindu nationalist group  Reuters

Activists urge Mamdani to cancel Hindu nationalist event in New York City Azad Essa on Tue, 08/25/2026 - 12:58 The mayor is being urged to cancel an event featuring RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and condemn the movement's rising presence in the US A mobile billboard truck displays a message urgi