Hundreds of protesters gathered outside Manhattan’s iconic Madison Square Garden to rally against a “Universal Oneness” event featuring Mohan Bhagwat, the chief of India’s right-wing paramilitary organization, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), from Aug. 25-29. Demonstrators from various advocacy groups strongly condemned the group’s Hindu nationalist ideology and its treatment of religious minorities.
The demonstration, organized under the banner “No Platform for Hate,” drew a diverse coalition of faith and civil rights groups. Demonstrators included Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, and Christian activists, who voiced deep concerns over the RSS’s actions in India and other countries: how it historically stood for making India a Hindu nation and drove out minorities, as well as its nationalist influence within the Hindu diaspora worldwide. Protesters held large signs and chanted slogans urging global leaders and venue officials to refuse space to figures promoting divisive politics. Organizers of the event emphasized that the rally aimed to promote global solidarity, defend secular democratic values, and protect human rights across all marginalized communities.
The rally coincided with Bhagwat’s address to approximately 5,000 attendees inside the venue’s Infosys Theater for the “Universal Oneness Celebration.” The event was part of a global outreach tour marking the upcoming 100-year anniversary of the RSS that serves as the ideological parent to India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Observers noted that the timing of this high-profile tour reflected a concerted effort by the organization to expand its growing political footprint within Western nations.
“The RSS holds immense state power in India right now,” said Sonny Singh, a prominent Sikh activist at the rally, noting that its exclusionary policies pose an immediate threat to minorities both in India and across the diaspora.
Organizers of the event defended Bhagwat’s visit, stating the celebration aimed to foster interfaith unity and highlight shared cultural heritage. Conversely, the RSS previously stated that its foreign outreach was intended to counter negative perceptions of the group abroad and showcase its global civic initiatives.
Despite tense moments and standard verbal counter-protests, the demonstration remained largely peaceful, continuing well after the indoor event concluded. The vibrant visual display of resistance highlighted a growing, sharp polarization within the Indian-American diaspora over the political trajectory, social cohesion, and democratic future of India.
Article By Saksham Sinha