Hindu American Foundation Issues Security Advisory Ahead of RSS Event in New York

New Delhi, India Aug 27, 2026 ALN: Washington: Ahead of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat’s event at New York’s Madison Square Garden, the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) has issued a security advisory. The event, titled ‘Universal Oneness Celebration,’ is scheduled for August 29. This gathering is expected to draw significant attention, not only because of its prominent venue but also due to the controversial nature of the RSS and its activities in India and abroad.

The advisory, as reported by HT, urges New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to “uphold his sworn duty” to protect all New Yorkers and attendees during the program. HAF, a non-profit advocacy and educational organization founded in September 2003, is based in Washington, DC, and has called on the community to “stay vigilant.” The organization is known for promoting the interests of Hindu Americans and advocating for their civil rights, particularly in a sociopolitical climate that they perceive as increasingly hostile.

“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. Ahead of the event, activists targeting Hindu Americans have attempted to disrupt and cancel the celebration. We urge Zohran Mamdani to uphold his sworn duty to protect all New Yorkers, including event attendees, and guarantee everyone’s safety and civil rights,” the organization stated on X. This alert highlights the tensions surrounding the event, indicating that there may be groups opposed to the RSS who are planning to protest or disrupt the gathering.

The advisory comes amid criticism from the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), which has alleged that religious freedom conditions in India are deteriorating. The USCIRF has been vocal about its concerns regarding the treatment of religious minorities in India, particularly under the current government led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is ideologically aligned with the RSS. The commission has called on the US government to consider sanctions against RSS members and Indian officials, reflecting a broader concern about the implications of the RSS's ideology and activities both in India and among the diaspora.

Earlier, Mayor Mamdani expressed his opposition to the rally, stating, “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 — a secular republic that believed in the belonging of each and every person who was from India. It has been incredibly troubling to see the rise of a movement that is predicated on an exclusionary vision of any country, frankly. And so it is one that I find myself in deep opposition to — not only as an Indian American, but also as the mayor of a city that believes deeply in the belonging of each and every person, no matter their color, their creed, their religion, their faith, wherever they’re from,” as quoted by ANI. His remarks underscore the complexities of identity and governance in a multicultural city like New York.

When asked whether the RSS rally should be canceled, he remarked, “I don’t support the rally, but I don’t know if the city has any jurisdiction over canceling a private event.” This statement reflects a common dilemma faced by public officials, balancing the right to free speech and assembly with the potential for civil unrest and the safety of the public. The event's private nature complicates the mayor's ability to intervene, as it falls under the protections guaranteed by the First Amendment.

The RSS, founded in 1925, is a Hindu nationalist organization that has been influential in shaping the political landscape of India. Its ideology promotes the idea of Hindutva, or Hindu nationalism, which advocates for a vision of India as primarily a Hindu nation. This has led to significant controversy and debate, particularly regarding the treatment of religious minorities, including Muslims and Christians, in India. The organization has been accused of fostering a climate of intolerance and discrimination, which has raised alarms among human rights advocates both in India and internationally.

In the context of the upcoming event, the HAF's advisory and the mayor's statements reflect a growing concern among some segments of the Indian American community regarding the implications of the RSS's ideology and its potential impact on community relations in the United States. Many Indian Americans, particularly those who identify as secular or progressive, view the RSS as a threat to the pluralistic values they associate with both India and their own experiences in America.

The implications of this event extend beyond just the immediate security concerns. It represents a broader struggle over the narrative of Hindu identity in the United States, particularly in a time when issues of race, religion, and national identity are at the forefront of public discourse. The tensions surrounding the event may serve to galvanize both supporters and opponents of the RSS, potentially leading to protests and counter-protests that could further polarize the community.

As the date of the event approaches, it will be crucial to monitor the situation closely, as the responses from both city officials and community members will likely shape the discourse around Hindu identity and nationalism in the United States for the foreseeable future. The outcome of this event may also influence how similar gatherings are perceived and managed in the future, as cities grapple with the challenges of ensuring public safety while respecting the rights of individuals to assemble and express their beliefs.