RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat LIVE: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat is scheduled to speak at Madison Square Garden in New York City during ‘Universal Oneness Celebrations’ on August 29 between 2 pm and 5:30 pm (ET). The event is being organised by the American Hindus for Engagement and Dialogue (AHEAD) forum.
7 Mins agoBhagwat says ‘one truth but described in different ways’
23 Mins agoBhagwat says ‘need to start from society’ to build influence
44 Mins agoIndian diaspora members gather at temple
1 Hr 29 Mins agoUniversal Oneness Celebrations spokesperson says ‘can come together despite differences’
1 Hr 55 Mins agoRSS chief's message for ISKON
8:37 PM IST, Aug 29HAF's message to New York mayor Zohran Mamdani
8:18 PM IST, Aug 29Protests planned at Madison Square Garden
8:09 PM IST, Aug 29HAF warns of possible disruption
7:51 PM IST, Aug 29What New York mayor Zohran Mamdani said on the event
7:39 PM IST, Aug 29What diaspora leaders are saying ahead of RSS chief's address at Madison Square?
7:28 PM IST, Aug 29USCIRF chair says open to dialogue with RSS
7:24 PM IST, Aug 29Images of RSS chief projected on Times Square billboard ahead of MSG address
7:03 PM IST, Aug 29What is in store for the attendees?
6:59 PM IST, Aug 29When and where is the RSS chief's event In New York City?
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat LIVE: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat is set to speak at an event in New York that has made headlines after NYC mayor Zohran Mamdani's remarks on the organisation and USCIRF’s call for sanctions on it. The event is being held during the RSS centenary year. Bhagwat arrived in New York on Tuesday as part of a three-nation outreach tour covering the US, Canada and the UK....
Date and time of RSS chief's event
RSS chief Bhagwat is scheduled to speak at Madison Square Garden in New York City during an event called ‘Universal Oneness Celebrations’ on August 29 between 2 pm and 5:30 pm (ET). The event is being organised by the American Hindus for Engagement and Dialogue (AHEAD) forum.
The event will feature a cultural program including performances, music, and artistic expressions, according to the event website. “Through performance and creative expression, attendees will experience — not merely hear — what it means to hold all of creation as one,” it said.
The row around the RSS event
Ahead of the event, New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani said that it was “incredibly troubling” to see the rise of a movement in India that was based on what he called an “exclusionary vision”.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Mamdani stressed his opposition to the rally but pointed out that the city’s government likely did not have the jurisdiction to cancel a private event.
“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."
"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,” he said.
A US-based advocacy group of Hindu-Americans has issued a community alert for those attending Bhagwat's New York event, urging them to avoid confrontation with activists opposing the programme on Saturday.
Protests planned
The Hindu American Foundation (HAF), a US-based non-profit, has warned of attempts to disrupt and cancel the Universal Oneness Celebrations, featuring Bhagwat, scheduled for Saturday at the Infosys Theatre at Madison Square Garden.
The Hindus for Human Rights and other like-minded organisations have planned protests outside Madison Square Garden on Saturday, coinciding with the event featuring the RSS chief.
"Mohan Bhagwat does not represent Hindus. He leads an extremist Hindu nationalist movement that has fuelled violence, exclusion and fear for minority communities," said Sravya Tadepalli, Deputy Executive Director of Hindus for Human Rights.
The HAF has also urged New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani to uphold his sworn duty to protect all New Yorkers, including those attending the event at Madison Square Garden and guarantee everyone's safety and civil rights
"If you're attending: Be civil, respect everyone's right to assemble, protest, and express their views," the HAF said.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat LIVE: Bhagwat says ‘Hindu who thinks there should be no muslim in India is not Hindu’
"If you want to call yourself Hindu, you must believe that all paths are leading to the same. And every human has a dignity. There is no difference between human beings. I had a lecture there. And Muslim brothers were also there. And they asked me a question: You are a Hindu organization, you say Hindu Rashtra, what about us Muslims? Would you drive us out? I said no, that is not Hindutva. If any Hindu thinks that there should be no Muslim in Bharat, he will not remain Hindu," Says Mohan Bhagwat.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat LIVE: Bhagwat says ‘one truth but described in different ways’
RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat says, "I am not a religious scholar, nor a religious authority like you, but I am working in a society which traditionally says that religions might be different, but humanity is one. Truth is one, and humanity is a product of that truth. So humanity is one. That truth is one truth, but it is described in many ways according to the describer. Because as human beings, we are prisoners of the software that has been created in our heads..."
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat LIVE: Bhagwat says discipline of rituals needed for path of divinity
"There are many religions, and in today's world, religions are largely defined by rituals. And to fit in a religious discipline, and to treat that path to divinity, this discipline of rituals is also necessary," Mohan Bhagwat said.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat LIVE: Bhagwat says ‘need to start from society’ to build influence
Speaking at an interfaith convention, Mohan Bhagwat said that to build influence and state, one needs to start by building the society.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat LIVE: Indian diaspora members gather at temple
Ahead of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s address at New York's Madison Square Garden, members of the Indian diaspora gather at the Hindu Temple.
Dr Jayshree Nayar, a scientist and one of the members' of the diaspora told news agency PTI, "We have gathered here to go to Madison Square Garden to listen to Mohan Bhagwat ji as part of the 100th anniversary celebrations of the RSS. Historically, there have been many misconceptions surrounding Hinduism, Hindutva, India, and our civilisation, largely because our history was portrayed through foreign perspectives that degraded our culture. RSS and HSS are character-building and discipline-oriented organisations that foster mental, physical, and spiritual development through shakha (branch) activities. Mohan Bhagwat ji's address provides a key opportunity to clarify what Hinduism stands for and to share our guiding philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, that the entire world is one family where we support one another. We are excited to hear him dispel long-standing misconceptions."
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat LIVE: More about the event
The invite-based event will have more than 5,000 attendees, according to the programme's website that describes the event as ‘a one-of-a-kind celebration..'
“Held on Raksha Bandhan — a day that celebrates the bonds between us — this gathering affirms that unity, not separation, is the foundation of a healthy society,” the website says.
The event, which the organisers have called ‘an afternoon of shared teaching, cultural performance, and common ground’, has over 250 partner organisation and around 26 volunteers.
The event will have a cultural program that includes performances, music, and artistic expressions, according to the event website. “Through performance and creative expression, attendees will experience — not merely hear — what it means to hold all of creation as one,” it said.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat LIVE: Where and when to watch live
Here is all you need to know about Bhagwat's New York event:
Time: 2 pm to 5:30 pm (ET) or 11:30 pm to 3:00 am (IST)
Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York
Who are the organisers? American Hindus for Engagement and Dialogue (AHEAD) forum
Where to watch Bhagwat speech live? Bhagwat's speech will be live streamed on the YouTube channel of ‘Universal Oneness Celebration’.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat LIVE: Universal Oneness Celebrations spokesperson says ‘can come together despite differences’
Speaking to ANI, Universal Oneness Celebrations spokesperson Priya S described the gathering as a cultural, community and interfaith event, and said it would bring together people from different walks of life.
"This is a cultural and community event where we are going to have people from all walks of life. It is an interfaith event, so while a section of people may oppose, we are extending a hand to say that the world is one big family. After this event, people are going to understand why this is important. We may have our differences, but we can still come together and walk together," she said.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat LIVE: RSS chief's message for ISKON
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat visited the ISKCON temple in New York during his ongoing US tour on Friday and penned a heartfelt tribute to the organisation for presenting the world with the gift of 'Sri Krishna consciousness'.
He visited the ISKCON temple in New York on Friday during his ongoing US tour and participated in a food distribution initiative for homeless people, stressing that Krishna consciousness can help overcome conflicts and divisions in the world.
Speaking to ANI on the significance of the visit of Bhagwat, Gauranga Das, Governing Body Commissioner of ISKCON, said, "In 1966, Swami Prabhupada officially founded the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). We are standing at 26 2nd Avenue, the same place from where ISKCON began, and today we have 1300 temples across 120 countries. Swami Prabhupada is given the credit of taking Hindu Sanatana Dharma to every corner of the world, and it all began here. It was a historic day when RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat arrived here... He told us how we can work together for global peace and harmony."
He also shared the message by the RSS Chief, which said, "An inspiring venue which brought a really matchless gift of Sri Krishna consciousness to the world. I am humbled and surcharged with the feeling of pure sattvic love towards he who resides in everybody and everything. Heartiest thanks to all who arranged this inspiring event for me."
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat LIVE: HAF's message to New York mayor Zohran Mamdani
The Hindu American Foundation has urged New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani to uphold his sworn duty to protect all New Yorkers, including those attending the event at Madison Square Garden and guarantee everyone's safety and civil rights.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat LIVE: Protests planned at Madison Square Garden
The Hindus for Human Rights and other like-minded organisations have planned protests outside Madison Square Garden on Saturday, coinciding with the event featuring the RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat LIVE: HAF warns of possible disruption
The Hindu American Foundation (HAF), a US-based non-profit, has warned of attempts to disrupt and cancel the Universal Oneness Celebrations, featuring RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, scheduled for Saturday at the Infosys Theatre at Madison Square Garden.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat LIVE: What New York mayor Zohran Mamdani said on the event
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat LIVE: What diaspora leaders are saying ahead of RSS chief's address at Madison Square?
Hours ahead of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Chief Mohan Bhagwat's highly anticipated address in New York City, diaspora leaders and event organisers have strongly defended the 'Universal Oneness Celebrations' in New York, emphasising the message of pluralism, community integration and open dialogue.
Bhagwat is scheduled to address an audience on August 29 at the Infosys Theatre at Madison Square Garden during a programme titled 'Universal Oneness Celebrations'.He arrived in New York on Tuesday as part of a three-nation outreach visit spanning the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, marking the organisation's centenary year.
Tejal Shah, President of the World Hindu Council of America (Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America), told news agency ANI, "This is an event giving out the message of plurality, unity in diversity, and the integration of the entire community coming together and celebrating not only the festival of Raksha Bandhan, but also the relationship that each community member will have with one another. As a result, we can make the world a better place tomorrow. The loud and clear message is: come forward, put the differences aside, let's work together for humanity, and let's work together for a better tomorrow."
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat LIVE: USCIRF chair says open to dialogue with RSS
Days after calling on the US government to consider "targeted sanctions" against RSS and revoke the visa issued to Mohan Bhagwat, United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Chair Asif Mahmood on Saturday said he is "open" to sitting down with the RSS chief and has talked to "bring more awareness."
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat LIVE: Images of RSS chief projected on Times Square billboard ahead of MSG address
Images of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat were projected on billboards in the heart of Times Square ahead of his address to members of the Indian diaspora at Madison Square Garden here.
Bhagwat arrived in the US on Tuesday as part of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's (RSS) centenary-year global outreach programme. His outreach tour also includes Canada and the UK.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat LIVE: Is the RSS chief flying into the US today?
No, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat is already in the US. He visited the ISKON temple in New York on Friday."In today's world, there are so many conflicts, so many dualities. The only thing that unites is consciousness. That consciousness is Krishna Consciousness - we are one, and we have been having it through these dualities of this world with the strong understanding that though there are so many diversities, dualities, conflicts, really it is all Krishna...Everything is Krishna - if that world reaches every heart, the world will definitely be a better world; it will not be the material world we see today; it will be a heavenly abode for every human being," he said.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat LIVE: What is in store for the attendees?
Apart from Mohan Bhagwat's speech, the event will feature a cultural program with performances, music, and artistic expressions, according to the event website.
“Through performance and creative expression, attendees will experience — not merely hear — what it means to hold all of creation as one,” it said.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat LIVE: When and where is the RSS chief's event In New York City?
RSS chief Bhagwat is scheduled to speak at the Madison Square Garden in New York City during an event called ‘Universal Oneness Celebrations’ on August 29 between 2 pm to 5:30 pm (ET). The event is being organised by American Hindus for Engagement and Dialogue (AHEAD) forum.
