X briefly suspends of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s New York event organisers | World News - Hindustan Times

**RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s New York event hit a social‑media snag when the X account of its U.S. organiser, the Association for Hindu Education and Advancement (AHEAD), was briefly suspended on 24 April.** The suspension came just days before Bhagwat – the head of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a right‑wing Hindu nationalist organisation – was due to speak at a gathering in Manhattan’s Carnegie Hall. X, formerly Twitter, cited “a violation of our policy on coordinated inauthentic behavior” and removed the handle @AHEAD\_US without providing specific details. Within hours, the platform restored the account after AHEAD appealed, stating that the suspension was “unwarranted” and that the account had only been used to disseminate event logistics and public statements.

The brief blackout sparked a flurry of reactions from both sides of the Atlantic. X’s spokesperson said the suspension was a “precautionary measure” triggered by automated monitoring tools and that the reinstatement reflected “a thorough review confirming compliance with our rules.” AHEAD’s director, Anurag Singh, characterised the episode as an “unjust interference” that could have jeopardised attendance and media coverage for a visit that marks the first time the RSS chief has spoken publicly on U.S. soil in over a decade. Indian diplomatic sources, however, downplayed the incident, noting that the event’s agenda – focusing on “cultural exchange and the promotion of Indian heritage” – remained unchanged.

The social‑media hiccup unfolded against a backdrop of mounting political pressure in Washington. A bipartisan congressional panel on international religious freedom, chaired by Rep. James McGovern (D‑MA), released a report on 22 April urging the Biden administration to consider sanctions against RSS members and to revoke Mr Bhagwat’s visa on grounds of alleged extremist ties. The panel cited prior statements by RSS leaders that it deemed “anti‑minority” and warned that the New York appearance could embolden extremist narratives. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs rejected the call, describing it as “baseless political posturing,” while the RSS labelled the panel’s recommendations “misguided and hostile to legitimate cultural outreach.” The episode underscores the growing friction between India’s nationalist groups and U.S. policymakers over issues of religious freedom and foreign influence.

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