![\"RSS](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/NEW-YORK-MAMDANI-RSS-0_1787731971036_1787731987515_1d84d4b0-f138-4a13-8097-7f90645d63d3.JPG\" "\\"RSS")
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat landed in New York on Tuesday for the first leg of a three-nation outreach tour covering the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. (REUTERS)<\/p>\nNew York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s opposition to an upcoming event featuring Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat has triggered a political backlash, while some Congress leaders have backed the mayor\u2019s comments, bringing renewed focus to the controversy surrounding Bhagwat\u2019s planned address to the Indian diaspora.<\/p>\n
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat landed in New York on Tuesday for the first leg of a three-nation outreach tour covering the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. (REUTERS)<\/p>\n
Bhagwat is scheduled to speak at the \u2018Universal Oneness Celebrations\u2019 at Madison Square Garden on August 29, an event being organised during the RSS\u2019s centenary year and linked to Raksha Bandhan.<\/p>\n
Here are the key developments in the rowMamdani opposes RSS event<\/p>\n
Mamdani said he did not support the event but acknowledged that the New York City administration may not have the authority to cancel a private gathering.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don’t support the rally, but I don’t know if the city has any jurisdiction over cancelling a private event,\u201d Mamdani said at a press conference.<\/p>\n
Asked whether the city administration should seek to cancel the event, Mamdani said he was \u201cin deep opposition\u201d to the ideology he associated with the RSS.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has been incredibly troubling to see the rise of a movement that is predicated on an exclusionary vision of any country, frankly. So it is one that I find myself in deep opposition to,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Mamdani added that New York was a city for people of every colour and faith.<\/p>\n
ALSO READ | ‘In deep opposition to, but…’: Zohran Mamdani on RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat\u2019s upcoming rally in New York<\/a><\/p>\n Mamdani faces backlash over remarks<\/p>\n Mamdani\u2019s comments drew criticism from several leaders and public figures, who defended the RSS and questioned his opposition to the event.<\/p>\n Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC said RSS-linked Seva International had undertaken hundreds of projects in the US, including during hurricanes and the Covid-19 pandemic, and questioned Mamdani\u2019s criticism of the organisation.<\/p>\n \u201cSo who is Zohran Mamdani to give a certificate?\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Shaina also accused Mamdani of \u201cvote-bank politics\u201d, arguing that the RSS chief\u2019s event was intended to engage with Hindu Americans.<\/p>\n American singer Mary Millben <\/a>also hit out at Mamdani and others opposing the event, linking their criticism to opposition to Prime Minister Narendra Modi <\/a>and the BJP.<\/p>\n \u201cMamdani and all these socialist nuts are opposing the Madison Square Garden event featuring Mohan Bhagwat because they oppose PM @narendramodi and the @BJP4India. That’s pretty clear,\u201d Millben said.<\/p>\n She argued that Madison Square Garden was a private venue and that the event would go ahead.<\/p>\n Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Nirupam<\/a> also criticised Mamdani, calling him a \u201cleftist\u201d and using a derogatory \u201cjihadi\u201d label against him. Nirupam said Mamdani\u2019s opposition to Bhagwat was particularly concerning given his Indian background.<\/p>\n Congress leaders back Mamdani<\/p>\n While Mamdani faced criticism from BJP and Shiv Sena <\/a>leaders, some Congress leaders backed his position.<\/p>\n Congress leader Abhishek Dutt said there was opposition to the RSS and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) in India as well. He alleged that the RSS had faced criticism over the collection and use of donations in Ayodhya.<\/p>\n Congress MP Imran Masood also questioned the purpose of the New York event.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do they intend to achieve with this event? What message are they trying to convey to the world?\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Congress leader Nana Patole, meanwhile, raised questions about the RSS\u2019s organisational structure, funding and activities, and questioned why Bhagwat was visiting the US.<\/p>\n Pawan Khera also weighs in<\/p>\n