Mohan Bhagwat’s photo displayed on Times Square billboard ahead of speech

An image of Mohan Bhagwat, the head of the Hindu organization Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, was displayed on one of the main billboards in New York’s Times Square ahead of his speech at Madison Square Garden. NDTV World reports.

Speech at Madison Square Garden

Bhagwat arrived in the United States on Tuesday as part of an international outreach program dedicated to the organization’s centenary. His trip also includes visits to Canada and the United Kingdom.

On Saturday, he is expected to speak before approximately 5,000 members of the Indian diaspora at Madison Square Garden. The event, titled Universal Oneness Celebration, is organized by American Hindus for Engagement and Dialogue. The organization described it as a large-scale gathering for the Raksha Bandhan festival.

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Event theme and reaction

According to the organizers, cultural presentations and keynote speeches will focus on the theme of universal unity and the Hindu principle of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” meaning “the world is one family.” On Friday evening, the words “Resolve, Harmony and Dialogue” were displayed on the billboard alongside photographs of Bhagwat.

Bhagwat’s planned appearance at Madison Square Garden has drawn criticism from several human rights organizations. New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani said that he does not support holding an event involving Bhagwat. At the same time, he noted that the city may not have the authority to cancel this private event.

During his stay in the United States, Bhagwat held meetings with diaspora representatives, Indian-American businesspeople and public figures. He also visited the Bhakti Centre in New York and paid tribute to Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.