Hindu Groups Issue Safety Advisories Ahead of Mohan Bhagwat’s New York Event
Washington — Two Hindu American organizations have issued safety advisories ahead of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s scheduled appearance at Madison Square Garden, urging attendees and Hindu institutions in New York to remain vigilant amid planned protests and calls for the event to be canceled.
The Hindu American Foundation, or HAF, issued what it described as a “community advisory alert” Wednesday for people planning to attend the Aug. 29 Universal Oneness Celebration.
“Stay vigilant, remain situationally aware, and keep interactions civil,” HAF said in a post on X.
The organization said activists had sought to disrupt or cancel the gathering and called on New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani to “uphold his sworn duty to protect all New Yorkers, including event attendees, and guarantee everyone’s safety and civil rights.”
HAF did not cite a specific threat or say that law enforcement had confirmed a security risk.
The group urged attendees to respect the rights of protesters and others to assemble and express their views while avoiding confrontations with anyone making provocative or threatening statements.
“If you feel threatened, leave the area and contact event security or law enforcement. Call 911 in an emergency,” the advisory said.
HAF also asked attendees to report threats, vandalism, suspected hate incidents and other crimes to security personnel or police. Hindu temples and community centers in New York were encouraged to exercise additional caution around high-profile events.
HinduACTion issued a similar advisory, asking Hindu residents and people attending events connected to Bhagwat’s visit to document threats, harassment or “expressions of bigotry.”
“Report incidents promptly to the NYPD and other appropriate authorities. Stay safe. Look out for one another,” the group said.
The advisories come as the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom expressed concern over Bhagwat’s visit and urged the U.S. government to consider sanctions against RSS members and Indian officials. India has previously rejected USCIRF assessments of its religious freedom record, describing them as biased and as interference in the country’s internal affairs.
Former Seattle City Council member Kshama Sawant has also called on Mamdani to stop the Madison Square Garden event. She thanked Hindus for Human Rights, the Indian American Muslim Council and other organizations campaigning against the gathering.
Mamdani has said he opposes the event but is uncertain whether the city has legal authority to cancel a private program.
The RSS has defended the gathering as an inclusive interfaith event. Sunil Ambekar, the organization’s national publicity chief, said Bhagwat would engage with “a diverse, multicultural, and multi-faith audience.”
“Organised in the spirit of open dialogue and mutual respect, the event reflects Bharatiya ethos which is fundamentally inclusive and welcoming to all,” Ambekar said. (Source: IANS)
