'RSS does not represent us': US-based Hindu group among 61 organisations protesting Mohan Bhagwat's NYC event | India News - Hindustan Times

**U.S.-Based Hindu Group Joins 61 Organisations in Protest of RSS Chief’s New York Appearance**

New Delhi – More than sixty organisations, ranging from progressive Indian‑American advocacy groups to a U.S.-based Hindu cultural association, have signed a joint statement condemning the planned New York City appearance of Mohan Bhagwat, the chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The coalition, which includes the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) and several student and human‑rights groups, argues that the RSS’s “communal” ideology does not represent the diverse spectrum of Hinduism in the diaspora. In its statement, the HAF emphasized that “the RSS does not represent us,” urging the event’s hosts to cancel the gathering and warning that Bhagwat’s presence could embolden extremist narratives within the Indian diaspora. The protest comes at a time when the RSS, a right‑wing volunteer organisation, is under heightened scrutiny abroad for its alleged role in fostering majoritarian politics in India.

The event, scheduled for the end of September at a Manhattan venue owned by a prominent Indian cultural society, was announced as a “dialogue on India’s future” and is expected to draw several thousand attendees, including Indian expatriates, business leaders, and political figures. Organisers, who are also members of the Indian diaspora, have defended the invitation, stating that Bhagwat’s speech will focus on “spiritual values and nation‑building” rather than politics. However, they have faced criticism after a X (formerly Twitter) account linked to the event was temporarily blocked for several hours, a disruption the organisers attribute to a technical glitch that was later resolved. The brief outage sparked speculation on social‑media platforms that the block may have been a coordinated attempt to suppress the event’s promotion, though X has not confirmed any policy violation.

The protest coalition plans to hold a parallel rally outside the venue, featuring speakers from progressive Indian‑American organizations and a panel discussion on pluralism, secularism, and the role of diaspora communities in shaping India’s global image. In addition, a number of Indian‑American venture capitalists and tech entrepreneurs have voiced concerns that Bhagwat’s presence could send a chilling signal to the start‑up ecosystem, which relies on an open, inclusive environment. As the date approaches, both sides are bracing for heightened media attention, with the Indian government and RSS leadership yet to comment on the mounting overseas dissent.