American non-profit organisation, The Hindu American Foundation has issued an advisory ahead of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh‘s event in New York City, advising citizens to stay vigilant, aware, and civilised.“HAF is issuing this security alert in advance of the Universal Oneness Celebration at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Stay vigilant, remain situationally aware, and keep interactions civil. Ahead of the event, activists targeting Hindu Americans have attempted to disrupt and cancel the celebration”, HAF posted on X, while also urging New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to ensure the safety of the event attendees.The community advisory was issued after intense criticism of the RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and his ‘Universal Oneness Celebration’, to be held on Saturday at Madison Square Garden.On Tuesday, Mamdani expressed his lack of support for Bhagwat’s event while admitting his office cannot cancel it.“I don’t support the rally, but I don’t know if the city has any jurisdiction on cancelling a private event,” he told reporters.United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) asked US government to consider sanctions against the RSS, alleging deterioration of religious freedom in India.“We urge the US government to consider targeted sanctions against RSS members and Indian officials complicit in religious freedom violations, including revoking the visa issued to Mohan Bhagwat and making him ineligible for future entry into the United States”, the body said.
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The USCIRF is Chaired by Pakistani-American Asif Mahmood.The body has previously been dismissed by the ministry of external affairs over bias and lack of credibility.“We all know this is a biased institution. For years, it has made incorrect and provocative statements about India. We should ignore such institutions, as they have their own agendas and lack credibility”, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during an August 21 press briefing.
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