New York Mayor Mamdani Opposes RSS Event But…

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has opposed the upcoming event featuring RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat at Madison Square Garden, saying he does not support the programme. The event is scheduled as part of the RSS centenary celebrations and is expected to draw a large Indian American people.

Mamdani said the India he grew up learning about from his family was a pluralistic and secular country where people of different faiths and backgrounds belonged equally. He said the rise of an exclusionary political vision has been deeply troubling to him.

The Mayor also made it clear that his comments are not just about his Indian American background. He said New York is a city that believes in the belonging of people irrespective of their colour, religion, faith or place of origin.

At the same time, Mamdani did not call for the event to be cancelled by the city. He pointed out that the programme is a private event and questioned whether the city administration has the legal authority to stop it.

The issue has already triggered political debate in New York, with activists demanding that Mamdani take a stronger stand against the event. The RSS, meanwhile, is proceeding with its planned programme at Madison Square Garden on August 29.

Mamdani’s position therefore appears to be a mix of political opposition and legal caution. He has openly disagreed with the ideology behind the event, but has also acknowledged that opposing a private programme and having the power to cancel it are two different things.