Washington, August 21: Mohan Bhagwat, the chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), will embark on a tour of three countries—America, Canada, and the United Kingdom—beginning August 25. This visit coincides with the RSS’s centenary celebrations.
According to the RSS, Bhagwat has been invited by local organizations in these countries and institutions connected to the Indian diaspora. The event is being linked to Raksha Bandhan and is framed around the Indian concept of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,’ which translates to viewing the entire world as one family.
Previously, over 100 Canadian Hindu and civil liberties organizations urged Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government to allow Bhagwat to visit Canada, rejecting calls for him to be denied entry.
In a joint letter to Carney and three senior ministers, these organizations stated that any immigration or public safety decisions concerning Bhagwat should be based on credible evidence and due process, rather than political pressure.
The signatories emphasized that Bhagwat’s proposed visit is significant for Canada’s Hindu community, which they estimate to be over one million strong. They described the RSS as a leading Indian organization engaged in community service, social initiatives, cultural activities, and public discourse.
The letter addressed demands to ban Bhagwat, arguing that such a move would raise serious questions about evidence, due process, freedom of expression, religious freedom, and equal treatment under Canadian law.
According to the signers, two MPs have allegedly accused Bhagwat of hate speech, advocating violence against religious minorities, issuing targeted threats, and having ties to criminal or listed terrorist organizations.
The letter stated that these are serious allegations that should not be dismissed as mere political rhetoric and should not be established as fact without clear, credible, and independently verified evidence.
The groups called on MPs and organizations opposing the visit to present evidence supporting their claims. They insisted that any available material should be evaluated through established Canadian legal and governmental processes.
The letter also challenged the assertion that Bhagwat’s presence could incite ‘social unrest’ or pose a threat to Canadian citizens.
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