NYC Mayor Mamdani opposes RSS chief Bhagwat's Madison Square event - The Hindu

**New York City Politician Voices Opposition to RSS Chief’s Madison Square Event**

New York State Assemblyman **Zohran Mamdani**, a progressive Democrat representing parts of Brooklyn, publicly announced his “deep opposition” to the planned rally in Madison Square Garden by **Mohan Bhagwat**, head of India’s Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). In statements reported by *The Hindu*, *NDTV* and other Indian media, Mamdani said he does not support the gathering, warning that it could inflame communal tensions among the city’s sizable Indian diaspora and undermine New York’s reputation as a safe, inclusive space for political expression. He emphasized that any event “that could promote sectarian narratives or marginalize minority communities is unacceptable in a city that prides itself on pluralism.”

The rally, scheduled for early October, is being organized by the RSS and its overseas affiliates as a showcase of Hindutva ideology, with Bhagwat expected to deliver a keynote address. Indian diplomatic officials have defended the right of the diaspora to assemble, stressing that the event complies with U.S. law and is a “cultural‑political” gathering rather than a threat to public order. However, Mamdany’s criticism has found resonance among several local community leaders and civil‑rights groups, who have called for heightened security measures and urged the city’s police commissioner to monitor the event closely for any incitement or hate speech.

City officials, including Mayor **Eric Adams**, have not issued a formal statement on the matter, but the New York Police Department confirmed it is reviewing standard protocols for large‑scale events. The episode arrives at a sensitive moment in U.S.–India relations, as both governments balance strategic partnership with domestic pressures over diaspora politics. Observers note that while New York traditionally upholds freedom of assembly, the city’s leadership is likely to tread carefully to avoid any perception of bias while ensuring public safety.