New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he does not support an upcoming event featuring RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat at Madison Square Garden.
The disagreement highlights tensions between the city's leadership and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, an influential right-wing organization in India, over visions of secularism and inclusivity.
The event, titled the “Universal Oneness Celebration,” is scheduled for Aug. 29, 2024 [1]. It is expected to draw around 5,000 members of the Indian diaspora [3]. Mamdani said he does not support the event, citing a conflict between the RSS's ideology and the pluralistic, secular India he was taught about [2].
Despite his opposition, Mamdani said he was unsure if the city had the legal jurisdiction to cancel a private event. This hesitation comes as 61 civil-rights, faith-based, community, and advocacy organizations have urged the city to cancel the gathering [2].
An RSS spokesperson defended the event, saying it is organized in the spirit of open dialogue and mutual respect. The spokesperson said the event reflects a Bharatiya ethos that is fundamentally inclusive and welcoming to all [1].
Madison Square Garden in Manhattan will host the celebration, which aims to present the RSS's perspective on Indian culture and society. The tension persists as the event date approaches, with the mayor's public stance marking a significant diplomatic friction within the city's international community.
“"I do not support the event."”
The conflict reflects a broader ideological struggle over the definition of Indian identity and secularism. By distancing himself from the event while acknowledging the limits of municipal power over private venues, Mayor Mamdani is navigating the balance between political expression and the legal protections of free assembly in the U.S.
