‘Incredibly troubling’: Mayor Zohran Mamdani opposes Mohan Bhagwat’s New York rally

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has spoken out against an upcoming rally by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat, describing the rise of what he called an “exclusionary vision” in India as “incredibly troubling”.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Mamdani said he was strongly opposed to the event but indicated that the city government may not have the legal authority to stop a privately organised gathering.

Mamdani voices opposition to RSS movement

Mamdani, who is the first Indian-American mayor in New York City’s history, said his views on India were shaped by his family’s connection to the country and by the idea of a pluralistic society.

“I also stand here as the first Indian American mayor in our city's history. My mother's family is all still in India. The vision of India that I was taught by my family and the one that I grew up being very familiar with was of a pluralistic society, of a secular republic, that believed in the belonging of each and every person who was from India."

He added, "It has been incredibly troubling to see the rise of a movement that is predicated on an exclusionary vision of any country, frankly. So it is one that I find myself in deep opposition to,”

Mamdani also stressed that New York was a city for people of all colours and faiths.

Calls to cancel Bhagwat’s rally

The mayor’s comments came after activists and progressive political figures called on him to cancel Bhagwat’s event at Madison Square Garden.

Former Seattle city council member Kshama Sawant, who is running for the US House of Representatives, criticised Mamdani for not using his office to stop the rally.

“By refusing to use his Mayoral position to cancel the event and condemn Bhagwat and the RSS, Mamdani is failing to stand with Muslims and other oppressed communities in India and with the Palestinian people.

Modi's right wing regime has gone even further down the road of authoritarianism than Trump, and it is the responsibility of socialists to take a stand against it,” Sawant said on X.

Bhagwat begins US visit

Members of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom have also urged Washington not to extend diplomatic courtesies to Bhagwat and called for sanctions against the RSS.

Bhagwat arrived in the US on Tuesday for a multi-day visit linked to the RSS centenary celebrations. His itinerary also includes Canada and the United Kingdom.

The visit has drawn political attention in the US, particularly among progressive groups that have raised concerns over alleged links between Indian-American political figures and Hindu nationalist organisations.