US lawmakers Rashida Tlaib and Jim McGovern have criticised Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat’s visit to New York, objecting to the platform given to the RSS leader as they claimed that the organisation promotes discrimination and violence against religious minorities in India.
“Mohan Bhagwat and his hateful Hindu nationalist ideology are not welcome in our communities. McGovern, another Democratic representative, also criticised Bhagwat’s visit. “Whenever you think of America, one word is often discussed — pluralism. When we say Bharat, another phrase is discussed — unity in diversity.
Tlaib said Bhagwat and his “Hindu nationalist ideology” were “not welcome” in American communities, while McGovern said the RSS chief should face “accountability” rather than be given a platform. His paramilitary organization the RSS is responsible for violent attacks and pogroms against Muslims, Sikhs, Dalits, Christians, and more,” Tlaib said. Referring to comments by former US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) chairs Stephen Schneck and Nadine Maenza, McGovern said the RSS had helped make “discrimination & violence against religious minorities mainstream in India”. “Its chief, Mohan Baghwat, should face accountability—not be given a platform to foment hatred,” he said in a post on X. McGovern misspelled Bhagwat’s surname as “Baghwat” in the post. For Bharat, both unity and diversity are in its DNA,” he said. Bhagwat said people may differ in their lifestyles and material needs, but an “innate oneness” binds everyone together.
