World News Updates: US body seeks revocation of Mohan Bhagwat’s visa - The Indian Express

**U.S. Government Moves to Revoke RSS Chief’s Visa Amid Security Concerns**

Washington — A U.S. government agency has formally requested that the State Department revoke the visa of Mohan Bhagwat, the chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak  Sangh (RSS), ahead of his planned appearance in New York. The request, filed under the Immigration and Nationality Act, cites “activities or affiliations that may pose a threat to public safety or national security.” While the petition is still under review, the move has sparked a diplomatic ripple across New Delhi, where officials stress that the RSS is a “constitutional organization” and that Bhagwat’s visit is intended to foster “open dialogue” on civil‑society issues.

Bhagwat’s New York event, scheduled for early October, is being organized by the American‑based think‑tank AHEAD, which promotes cross‑cultural exchanges. In the days leading up to the programme, AHEAD’s official X (formerly Twitter) account was temporarily suspended, a development the organizers attributed to an algorithmic error. The account was restored after a few hours, and AHEAD issued a statement that the blockage was “unrelated to the content of the event.” The RSS, citing its own statements in *The Hindu*, described the gathering as a “platform for constructive conversation” and denied any extremist agenda.

Indian officials have lodged a formal protest with the U.S. Embassy, urging a swift resolution and warning that politicising visa processes could “undermine the spirit of Indo‑U.S. partnership.” U.S. State Department spokespersons, while refraining from commenting on the specifics of the petition, reiterated that visa decisions are “made in accordance with U.S. law and national‑security considerations.” Analysts note that the episode arrives at a time of heightened scrutiny of foreign political actors in the United States, and could test the resilience of bilateral ties if the revocation proceeds.