Mohan Bhagwat’s US visit puts RSS’s vision of Hindu unity in spotlight

(RNS) — This Saturday (Aug. 29), Mohan Bhagwat, chief of India’s Hindu nationalist organization, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), is scheduled to give the keynote address at Madison Square Garden for an event celebrating “universal oneness.”

The event, hosted by the nonprofit American Hindus for Engagement and Dialogue (AHEAD) Forum, will feature musical performances and communal hymns and is expected to draw more than 5,000 spectators and over 100 groups affiliated with Hindu temples, yoga associations and cultural groups.

“Our job is to sit for a dialogue — mutual dialogue — to understand each other for the betterment of global humanity,” said Sudesh Agrawal, director of the AHEAD Forum. “Our earth is one.”

Priya Samant, the spokesperson for the Universal Oneness Celebration, agreed.

“It’s a celebration of our shared goals and our humanity,” she told RNS,  adding that Bhagwat will share the stage with faith leaders from different religions, including Islam, Christianity, Judaism and Sikhism.  “And oneness does not mean sameness. It means that we can work through our differences, and yet, be one big family.”

And yet, the event has sparked widespread backlash…