A billboard featuring Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat appeared in New York’s Times Square on Friday, hours before he was scheduled to address the ‘Universal Oneness Celebrations’ at Madison Square Garden.
The Times Square display came amid growing attention around Bhagwat’s New York visit. A row has erupted in New York over Bhagwat’s scheduled address at Madison Square Garden. The controversy has also spilled onto the streets. New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani has publicly opposed the event. The US Commission on International Religious Freedom has also entered the controversy. USCIRF chair Asif Mahmood had asked Washington to consider targeted sanctions against RSS members and revoke Bhagwat’s visa.
Video shared by PTI showed his image prominently displayed at the iconic Manhattan location ahead of the August 29 programme. The programme is scheduled from 2 pm to 5:30 pm local time (11:30 pm to 3 am IST) and includes cultural performances, music and artistic presentations. Ahead of the programme, Bhagwat visited the ISKCON temple at 26 Second Avenue in New York on Friday, where he offered a garland to Srila Prabhupada and participated in a food distribution initiative for homeless people. Gauranga Das, governing body commissioner of ISKCON, said the site was significant as it was where Swami Prabhupada founded the organisation in 1966. More than 200 Hindu American organisations have backed the programme, according to organisers. The group says 61 interfaith and secular organisations have signed an open letter opposing the event.
He described the RSS as a movement based on “exclusionary vision”. Mamdani also said that city authorities did not have the legal power to stop a privately organised event. He has since said he was open to meeting Bhagwat for a discussion.
Hindus for Human Rights and allied groups have announced a protest outside Madison Square Garden on Saturday.
