Washington, August 27: Ahead of RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat’s address at Madison Square Garden in New York, two Hindu-American organizations have issued a security advisory. They are urging attendees and Hindu institutions in New York to remain vigilant due to ongoing protests against the event, which some are calling to be canceled.
The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) released a “Community Advisory Alert” on Wednesday for those attending the ‘Universal Oneness Celebration’ scheduled for August 29.
In a post on the social media platform ‘X’, HAF stated, “Stay alert, monitor your surroundings, and behave in a peaceful and civil manner.” The organization noted that some activists are attempting to disrupt and cancel the event. They appealed to New York Mayor Jahan Mamdani to ensure the safety and civil rights of all New Yorkers, including attendees of the event.
However, HAF did not specify any particular threats, nor did they indicate that law enforcement agencies had confirmed any security risks. The organization advised individuals to respect the rights of others to gather, protest, and express their opinions. They also cautioned against confrontations with those making provocative or threatening statements.
The advisory stated, “If you feel threatened, move away and contact the event security team or police. Call 911 in case of an emergency.” HAF urged participants to report any threats, vandalism, hate-based incidents, or other crimes to security personnel or law enforcement agencies. They also recommended that Hindu temples and community centers in New York exercise extra caution during large events.
Another organization, HindusACTion, issued a similar advisory. They urged the Hindu community in New York and those attending Bhagwat’s events to document any threats, harassment, or discriminatory behavior.
The organization stated, “Report such incidents immediately to the New York police and relevant authorities. Stay safe and look out for one another.”
This warning comes as the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has expressed concerns about Bhagwat’s visit, urging the U.S. government to consider sanctions against RSS members and certain Indian officials.
India has previously dismissed USCIRF’s reports and assessments on religious freedom as biased, viewing them as interference in its internal matters.
Meanwhile, former Seattle City Council member Kshama Sawant has also called on Mayor Mamdani to halt the event at Madison Square Garden. She thanked Hindu human rights organizations, the Indian American Muslim Council, and others for campaigning against the event.
Mayor Mamdani has stated that while he opposes the event, he is uncertain whether the city administration has the authority to cancel a private event.
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