Bhagwat gave a speech at Madison Square Garden on Saturday.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has strongly reacted to the alleged insult of the Indian flag outside the venue of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s event in New York. The protest took place outside Madison Square Garden on Saturday.
Sharing a video of the incident on X on Sunday night, Rijiju wrote, “We have always said there is freedom to criticise the RSS, BJP or the government, but do not insult our flag and my country. This will cost you dearly.”
In the video shared by Rijiju, a protester can be seen insulting the Indian flag by tying it to his leg outside Madison Square Garden. Some other protesters then tore the Tricolour into several pieces. Pro-Khalistan slogans were also raised afterwards.
Bhagwat says, ‘Unity and diversity are in India’s DNA’
Meanwhile, more than 6,000 Indian-Americans and leaders from different religions attended the ‘Universal Oneness Celebration’ at Madison Square Garden on Saturday. In his speech, Bhagwat said that unity in diversity is part of India’s DNA.
He said, “The ability to think is a gift given to humans. Right thinking brings a person closer to God, while wrong thinking takes them closer to animals.”
Before Bhagwat’s speech, religious leaders also spoke about unity, diversity, compassion and helping one another. Those who attended included Rabbi Jacob Blumenthal, Senior Minister of The Riverside Church, Rev. Adrienne Thorne, and Imam Talib M. Shareef, President of Masjid Muhammad in Washington D.C.
5 key takeaways from Bhagwat’s speech…
1. Dharma is not just worship, but a rule to keep life balanced: Bhagwat said the principle known as ‘Dharma’ in India should not be understood only as religion or worship. Dharma is the system that supports the universe and life. It helps maintain balance in different situations in life.
2. Material comfort alone does not bring satisfaction in life: Bhagwat said money, possessions and other material comforts do not always bring happiness. Material pleasure is temporary, and people can still feel unsatisfied even when they have many comforts and facilities.
3. America is your land of action (Karmabhoomi), be true to it: Addressing Indians living in America, Bhagwat said their main responsibility is towards their land of action, and they should remain loyal to it.
4. Not direct renunciation in life, every stage has its own responsibility: Bhagwat said human life has four stages — Brahmacharya (student life), Grihastha (householder), Vanaprastha (retired life) and Sannyasa (renunciation). A person should first learn, then take care of their family and society, and later pass their experience on to the next generation.
5. Individual, society, and environment should move forward together: Bhagwat said progress should not come by suppressing either the individual or society. The well-being of individuals, society, and the environment should happen together.
Bhagwat’s 3-country tour on the occasion of RSS centenary year
Bhagwat arrived in New York on August 25. This is the first stop of his 17-day, three-country tour. His visit is part of the RSS’s global outreach programme during its centenary year. Several events are being organised in India and abroad to mark 100 years of the RSS. After the US, Bhagwat will visit Canada and the UK.
New York Mayor had opposed Bhagwat’s program
Before Bhagwat’s event, New York City Council member Zohran Mamdani said that he did not support the RSS rally. When asked whether the RSS event should be cancelled, Mamdani said, “I don’t know if the city has the authority to cancel a private event.”
US Commission has also demanded a ban on RSS
Before Bhagwat visited the US, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) had called for a ban on the RSS. On August 19, the commission also appealed to the US government not to provide high-level diplomatic facilities to RSS leaders and to avoid official meetings with them.
India, however, objected to the USCIRF’s remarks. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal called the commission a ‘biased organisation’ on August 20. He said USCIRF has a long record of making incorrect and provocative statements about India, and therefore its comments should not be taken seriously.
Bhagwat had also visited America in 2018
Mohan Bhagwat had previously visited the US in September 2018. He attended the second World Hindu Congress in Chicago from September 7 to 9, 2018. Around 2,500 delegates from 60 countries attended the event. Bhagwat delivered the keynote speech at the opening session.
Available reports about his 2018 visit do not mention any meeting between Bhagwat and an American diplomat or any formal diplomatic honours being given to him. His visit mainly focused on the World Hindu Congress and related events.
