RSS Chief's US Visit Sparks Controversy in New York

Mohan Bhagwat, the chief of India's Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), is scheduled to speak at an event titled "Universal Oneness Celebration" on Saturday afternoon (local time) at Madison Square Garden in New York. The event, organized by the US-based non-profit group American Hindus for Engagement and Dialogue (AHEAD) Forum, is expected to draw over 5,000 attendees, including interfaith leaders.

Organizers are promoting it as an opportunity to honor "diversity, dialogue, and the ancient Indian philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" (the world is one family). However, the event faces a wave of opposition from various quarters. New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, the first Indian-American to hold the office, expressed his disapproval, calling RSS ideology "exclusionary." He told local media that he grew up in India, a "pluralistic society of a secular republic," and voiced concern over the RSS's growing influence.

The group Hindus for Human Rights also issued a statement criticizing the event, asserting that "Mohan Bhagwat does not represent Hindus" and accusing him of representing a "radical Hindu nationalist movement that has engaged in hatred and violence against religious minority communities for a century." The organization also recalled the 1939 Nazi rally held at Madison Square Garden, arguing the venue should not repeat such a mistake.

The RSS is a Hindu nationalist volunteer organization founded in 1925 in Nagpur. It is considered the parent body of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and has been banned multiple times in India, including in 1948 after a former member assassinated independence leader Mahatma Gandhi. Bhagwat, 75, joined the RSS in 1975 and has been its chief since March 2009.

RSS officials defend the trip. On August 21, senior RSS functionary Sunil Ambekar called the event an "interfaith gathering" and said Bhagwat would "engage with a diverse, multicultural, and multi-faith audience."

However, registration documents independently verified by Al Jazeera reveal close ties between the organizing body AHEAD Forum and the RSS. According to filings with the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS), AHEAD Forum registered as a non-profit in May 2025 and applied for tax exemption in September 2025. By the end of 2025, the organization reported revenue of $61,409, all from contributions, and assets of $61,124.

Notably, in its tax-exemption application, AHEAD listed Harish Kandpal as its bookkeeper. But California state registration data shows that until earlier this year, the bookkeeper was Khanderao Kand, a longtime RSS leader and head of the overseas Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) in the US. The organization was initially registered at Kand's address before switching to Kandpal's in March 2026.

According to a report by the Savera coalition, which monitors the rise of Hindu nationalism in the US, the change occurred after investigative media exposed Kand's ties to the RSS. AHEAD's current executive directors include Sudesh Agrawal (head of HSS's Cleveland branch), Naresh Rajanna, and Rasita Vishnuram. AHEAD has not responded to requests for comment.

The event comes amid reports of rising hate crimes against Muslims and Christians in India. According to India Hate Lab, hate speech incidents targeting Christians rose from 115 in 2024 to 162 in 2025, a 41% increase. Many cases involve BJP leaders or organizations within the RSS ecosystem.

Analysts suggest Bhagwat's visit is part of the RSS's efforts to improve its global image and seek allies among right-wing movements. Professor Apoorvanand of Delhi University said: "The RSS is expanding its reach to collaborate with other far-right organizations. They want to build a reactionary network and seek allies at Western events with groups close to President Trump."