UK groups seek boycott of Mohan Bhagwat’s London events, call RSS ‘authoritarian, militarist’

Twenty civil society organisations and individuals have written to London Mayor Sadiq Khan seeking a boycott of events linked to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat during his visit to the United Kingdom, describing the organisation as “authoritarian and militarist” and raising concerns over its activities.

Bhagwat is visiting the UK between September 2 and 7 as part of an international outreach tour that has also taken him to the United States and Canada. The trip comes as the RSS marks 100 years since its establishment. Details of Bhagwat’s engagements and the venue for his London programme have not been made public.

Groups write to mayor

In their letter, the groups urged Khan to confirm that no venue or land owned or controlled by the Greater London Authority would be made available for an RSS-linked event. They also sought an assurance that the mayor, deputy mayors, GLA officials or representatives of the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime would not attend, speak at or send messages of support to events connected with Bhagwat’s visit.

The signatories include Hindus for Human Rights UK, the UK-Indian Muslim Council, India Labour Solidarity and the South Asia Solidarity Group, among others. The letter characterised the RSS as an “authoritarian and militarist group” and alleged that its activities could contribute to greater polarisation within sections of the Indian diaspora.

The groups also asked Khan to write to the UK Home Secretary seeking an assessment of Bhagwat’s visit under the country’s criteria concerning unacceptable behaviour and entry restrictions. They sought steps from the Metropolitan Police to address community safety concerns during the visit.

Bhagwat’s overseas outreach

The organisations cited past allegations against the RSS and its affiliates, including those relating to the 2002 Gujarat riots and treatment of religious minorities in India. The Indian government has repeatedly rejected international criticism of its record on religious freedom and discrimination, maintaining that its policies apply without distinction and benefit people across communities.

Bhagwat’s UK trip follows visits to the US and Canada. His appearance in New York last month had also drawn protests, while New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani publicly distanced himself from an event addressed by the RSS chief.

The RSS has described Bhagwat’s overseas engagements as an effort to foster dialogue with mainstream societies and discuss issues concerning Hindus and people of Indian origin living abroad. His international tour comes during the organisation’s centenary year and forms part of its outreach to overseas communities.