Bhagwat arrived at 26 Second Avenue in New York on Friday, where Swami Prabhupada established the world’s first ISKCON temple.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat visited the world’s first ISKCON center in New York on Friday. Addressing devotees at the temple, he said that there are many kinds of conflicts in the world today. In such times, “Krishna consciousness” can bring peace.
He said that although there may be different kinds of diversity, disagreements, and conflicts in the world, a better and more peaceful environment can be created if people begin to understand that everything is a part of Krishna.
Bhagwat also visited the site at 26 Second Avenue, where Swami Prabhupada founded ISKCON in July 1966. It is also known as Matchless Gifts. ISKCON is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. ISKCON has 1,300 temples in 120 countries.
Photos of Bhagwat’s visit to the ISKCON temple…
Bhagwat with officials of the ISKCON center in New York.
Mohan Bhagwat signed the visitor book at the ISKCON temple.
Bhagwat’s programme at Madison Square Garden on August 29
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat arrived in New York on August 25. He is on a three-country tour of the US, Canada and the UK to mark 100 years of the RSS. During the tour, he will attend programmes organised by the Indian community and various organisations.
Bhagwat will attend the ‘Universal Oneness Celebration’ at Madison Square Garden in New York on August 29. The event is part of programmes being organised to mark 100 years of the RSS. The American Hindus for Engagement and Dialogue (AHEAD) Forum is organising the event. Bhagwat will also address the gathering.
61 organisations oppose event, demand cancellation
The event at Madison Square Garden is also facing opposition. Sixty-one interfaith and secular organisations, including several Hindu groups in the US, have issued an open letter opposing the programme.
On Tuesday, several organisations, including Hindus for Human Rights, the Indian American Muslim Council and the Interfaith Center of New York, held a press conference outside New York City Hall. They demanded that the event be cancelled.
New York mayor said he opposed ‘divisive ideology’
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani has also expressed his opposition to the event. He described the RSS as having a “divisive ideology”. Mamdani said he did not support the RSS event. However, he said he did not know whether the city administration had the authority to cancel a privately organised event.
Hindu American Foundation issues security advisory
The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) has issued a security advisory ahead of the event. It urged attendees to remain alert, monitor activities around them and avoid any kind of confrontation.
HAF said attempts had been made to disrupt and cancel the event. The organisation urged the New York administration to ensure the safety of attendees and protect their civil rights.
US commission had called for RSS ban
Before Bhagwat’s US visit, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) called for a ban on the RSS. On August 19, the commission also urged the US government not to provide high-level diplomatic courtesies to RSS leaders or hold official meetings with them.
India objected to the USCIRF’s remarks. On August 20, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal called the commission a “biased organisation”. He said USCIRF had been making inaccurate and provocative statements about India for a long time and therefore its remarks did not need to be taken seriously.
March report recommended action against RSS and RAW
In its annual report in March, USCIRF had also raised concerns about religious freedom in India. The report recommended banning some organisations and individuals, including the RSS and RAW.
India rejected the report as “distorted and selective”. The government said the report relied on sources whose credibility was questionable and presented a one-sided picture of the situation in India.
Bhagwat had also visited US in 2018
Mohan Bhagwat had previously visited the US in September 2018. He attended the second World Hindu Congress, held in Chicago from September 7 to 9, 2018. Around 2,500 delegates from 60 countries participated in the event. Bhagwat delivered the keynote address at the opening session of the congress.
Available reports on his 2018 visit do not mention any meeting between Bhagwat and a US diplomat or any formal diplomatic honour being extended to him. His visit was primarily focused on the World Hindu Congress and related events.
