‘Stay vigilant’: Hindu American Foundation issues security alert ahead of RSS chief’s New York event
The organisation alleged that activists targeting Hindu Americans were attempting to disrupt and cancel the event
Ahead of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's event at Madison Square Garden, the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) issued a community advisory warning of potential disruptions by activists targeting Hindu Americans. HAF urged attendees to remain vigilant and civil, and called upon New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani to uphold the safety and civil rights of all New Yorkers, including event attendees. The advisory was released as several interfaith and civil rights organizations have expressed opposition to Bhagwat's planned appearance, with Mayor Mamdani stating he does not support the event but acknowledging potential limitations in canceling a private gathering.
Ahead of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's event at Madison Square Garden, the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) issued a community advisory warning of potential disruptions by activists targeting Hindu Americans. HAF urged attendees to remain vigilant and civil, and called upon New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani to uphold the safety and civil rights of all New Yorkers, including event attendees. The advisory was released as several interfaith and civil rights organizations have expressed opposition to Bhagwat's planned appearance, with Mayor Mamdani stating he does not support the event but acknowledging potential limitations in canceling a private gathering.
Ahead of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's event at Madison Square Garden, the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) issued a community advisory warning of potential disruptions by activists targeting Hindu Americans. HAF urged attendees to remain vigilant and civil, and called upon New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani to uphold the safety and civil rights of all New Yorkers, including event attendees. The advisory was released as several interfaith and civil rights organizations have expressed opposition to Bhagwat's planned appearance, with Mayor Mamdani stating he does not support the event but acknowledging potential limitations in canceling a private gathering.
The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) has issued an official community advisory alert ahead of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat’s upcoming event at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
HAF, a non-profit advocacy and educational organisation, alleged that activists targeting Hindu Americans were attempting to disrupt and cancel the event. It also urged community members to remain “situationally aware” and keep their interactions civil.
“COMMUNITY ADVISORY ALERT! HAF is issuing this security alert in advance of the Universal Oneness Celebration at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Stay vigilant, remain situationally aware, and keep interactions civil,” it said in a post on X.
The organisation also urged New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani to ensure the safety and civil rights of every citizen.
“Ahead of the event, activists targeting Hindu Americans have attempted to disrupt and cancel the celebration. We urge @NYCMayor Zohran Mamdani to uphold his sworn duty to protect all New Yorkers, including event attendees, and guarantee everyone’s safety and civil rights,” the post read.
The advisory came as several interfaith and civil rights organisations, including Hindus for Human Rights, the Indian American Muslim Council and the Interfaith Center of New York, opposed the RSS chief’s planned appearance at the Madison Square Garden event on August 29.
Mamdani has said he does not support the event but noted that the city may not have jurisdiction to cancel a “private” event.
The Indian-origin mayor said the vision of India he was taught by his family and grew up familiar with was that of “a pluralistic society” and “a secular republic” that believed in the belonging of each and every person from India.
His comments drew a sharp reaction from American singer Mary Millben, who said the mayor had taken a stand against the RSS chief’s event because he opposed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party.
“Mamdani and all these socialist nuts are opposing the Madison Square Garden (MSG) event featuring Mohan Bhagwat because they oppose PM @narendramodi and the @BJP4India,” Millben said in a post on X on Tuesday.