Mohan Bhagwat Poster Goes Up On Times Square Billboard Ahead Of RSS Chief’s MSG Address

News india Mohan Bhagwat Poster Goes Up On Times Square Billboard Ahead Of RSS Chief’s MSG Address

Mohan Bhagwat Poster Goes Up On Times Square Billboard Ahead Of RSS Chief’s MSG Address

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Last Updated: August 29, 2026, 15:41 IST

The RSS chief is in New York as part of a three-nation outreach tour and is scheduled to address the ‘Universal Oneness Celebrations’ at Madison Square Garden on Saturday.

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RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat. (PTI)

A giant billboard featuring Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat was displayed at New York’s Times Square on Friday, ahead of his scheduled address at Madison Square Garden later in the day.

A video shared by news agency PTI showed Bhagwat’s image on one of the digital screens at the landmark Manhattan intersection, ahead of the ‘Universal Oneness Celebrations’ scheduled for August 29.

VIDEO | New York: Poster featuring RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat displayed on billboard in Times Square.(Source: RSS) (Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/d8jp61yd2p) pic.twitter.com/SOpm9k238b — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 29, 2026

The RSS chief reached New York on Tuesday as part of a three-country outreach tour that also includes Canada and the United Kingdom. His overseas visit comes as the RSS marks its centenary year.

Bhagwat To Address Madison Square Garden Event

The RSS chief is scheduled to speak at the Infosys Theatre at Madison Square Garden during the ‘Universal Oneness Celebrations’, organised by American Hindus for Engagement and Dialogue (AHEAD).

The event is scheduled between 2 pm and 5.30 pm local time, or 11.30 pm to 3 am IST, and will also feature cultural, musical and artistic performances.

Organisers have described the programme as a celebration of unity across communities and countries, drawing on the idea of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, or “the world is one family".

More than 200 Hindu American organisations are supporting the programme, according to the organisers.

RSS Chief Visits Historic ISKCON Temple

Before the Madison Square Garden programme, Bhagwat visited the ISKCON temple at 26 Second Avenue in New York on Friday. He offered a garland to ISKCON founder Srila Prabhupada and also took part in a food distribution initiative for homeless people.

Gauranga Das, a governing body commissioner of ISKCON, highlighted the historical significance of the location, where Swami Prabhupada established the organisation in 1966.

Bhagwat’s New York Event Draws Protests

The Madison Square Garden event has also triggered opposition from several groups in New York.

Hindus for Human Rights and allied organisations have announced a protest outside the venue on Saturday. The group has said that 61 interfaith and secular organisations have signed an open letter opposing Bhagwat’s programme.

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani has also voiced opposition to the event, describing the RSS as a movement based on an “exclusionary vision".

At the same time, Mamdani acknowledged that New York authorities have no legal power to prevent a privately organised programme from taking place.

US Religious Freedom Panel Enters Row

The controversy has also drawn intervention from the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF).

USCIRF chair Asif Mahmood had called on the US government to consider targeted sanctions against RSS members and sought the revocation of Bhagwat’s visa. He later said he was willing to meet the RSS chief for a discussion.

India has rejected the commission’s criticism. The Ministry of External Affairs accused USCIRF of bias and said the body had repeatedly made “incorrect and provocative statements" concerning India.

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Quick Answers Powered by Ask News18 What is the purpose of Mohan Bhagwat's three-country tour? Mohan Bhagwat's three-country tour to the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom is part of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's (RSS) centenary year celebrations and is intended as a global outreach effort. During his visit, Bhagwat is expected to engage with members of the Indian diaspora and representatives of local organisations. How will the 'Universal Oneness Celebrations' promote unity? The 'Universal Oneness Celebrations' aim to promote unity by bringing together people from 16 different religions for dialogue, engagement, and a focus on universal oneness, spirituality, and community harmony. Organisers have stated that the programme is not exclusively for Hindus and that protesters are welcome. The event also highlights Hindu philosophy and the concept of Hinduism as a way of life. What are the main concerns of groups protesting the event? Groups protesting Mohan Bhagwat's event are concerned about the rise of an "exclusionary" vision, which they believe clashes with a pluralistic India. The US Congress-constituted advisory body on religious freedom also expressed concerns, alleging that RSS subgroups have "perpetrated violent attacks against religious minorities". Powered by Ask News18

About the Author Karishma Jain Karishma Jain, Chief Sub Editor at News18.com, writes and edits opinion pieces on a variety of subjects, including Indian politics and policy, culture and the arts, technology and social change. Follo... Read More

First Published: August 29, 2026, 15:41 IST

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