Newsinc24 Team 
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Tuesday voiced his opposition to a planned event at Madison Square Garden where RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat is set to address members of the Indian diaspora. He,however, said the city may not have the jurisdiction to cancel the “private” event, scheduled for August 29. Mamdani said he was deeply troubled by the rise of an exclusionary movement, stressing that he opposed RSS as both an Indian-American and the mayor of a city that embraces people of all colours, faiths, religions and backgrounds.Responding to a question at a press conference about the RSS, Mamdani said,"I don't support the rally, but I don't know if the city has any jurisdiction on cancelling a private event."
#WATCH | RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat is set to address the Indian diaspora in New York for the 'Universal Oneness Celebrations' at Madison Square Garden on August 29, 2026.
— ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2026
Ahead of the event, New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani said, "I also stand here as the first Indian American mayor… pic.twitter.com/MudVcDC83q
Bhagwat arrived in the US earlier in the day as part of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's centenary-year global outreach programme. During his stay in New York, he would participate in the Universal Oneness programme and address a gathering of around 5,000 people at the iconic Madison Square Garden (MSG) on Saturday.The Universal Oneness Celebration, organised by AHEAD Forum, which is hosting Bhagwat, said in a social media post that “The event carries a timeless and universal message: 'The world is one family'. It calls upon us to look beyond artificial divisions and differences, recognise the bonds that unite humanity, and embrace a spirit of mutual respect, harmony, and oneness,” the post said.
Several interfaith and civil rights organisations held a press conference outside New York City Hall, the seat of the city government, opposing Bhagwat's appearance at MSG and urged the iconic venue to cancel the event. The organisations included Hindus for Human Rights, Indian American Muslim Council and Interfaith Centre of New York, among others.
Bhagwat is visiting the US, Canada and the UK as part of the Sangh’s centenary-year global outreach programme.
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