Bhagwat Goes to Canada & UK; US Politicians Reject Hindutva Funding

September

2026

As Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat took the stage at New York City’s Madison Square Garden on 29 Aug to deliver his speech, nearly 90 American politicians were preparing to reject political contributions from entities linked to the Hindutva organization he leads. RSS is a right-wing Hindutva organization and the parent body of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The pledge, announced on 2 Sep by organizations Hindus for Human Rights Action and SACRED Acts, commits elected officials and candidates across eight American states to reject contributions connected to the RSS and its affiliates. The signatories include members of Congress, state legislators, mayors, local elected officials, and candidates from both Democratic and Republican circles. Among the most prominent signatories are members of the US House of Representatives Pramila Jayapal of Washington, Ro Khanna of California, and Robin Kelly of Illinois. Meanwhile, in Canada, Bhagwat's visit was backed by a group calling itself CHORD (Canadian Hindus for Outreach, Relations and Dialogue) and falsely claiming support from 500 organizations. At the event in Toronto, Bhagwat’s dais reflected a wider outreach, including Alberta premier and federal cabinet minister Jason Kenney and Kashmir Singh Dhaliwal of the Khalsa Diwan Society. Canada's New Democratic Party and civil-society groups had asked that Bhagwat be denied entry to Canada. The venue was disclosed shortly before the program amid security concerns. Concurrently, in the UK, 20 civil society groups have written to London mayor Sadiq Khan, urging the Greater London Authority to boycott events organized by RSS during the visit of its chief Bhagwat. In London, Bhagwat is being hosted by Integral, a UK-based organization along with Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh UK, a Hindu social and cultural organization established in 1966. The groups have urged Khan to refuse to offer a venue for the RSS-organized event. The letter was signed by Hindus for Human Rights, UK-Indian Muslim Council, India Labour Solidarity, and South Asia Solidarity Group, among other organizations. On 5 Sep, Bhagwat visited the Khalsa Jatha British Isles Gurdwara, London and interacted with Sikh community members. He was received by BJP Member of Parliament Vikramjit Singh Sahney, philanthropist and entrepreneur Peter Virdee, and other community leaders. Bhagwat also visited London’s Shree Swaminarayan Temple, Willesden during Janmashtami (Lord Krishna’s birth) celebrations. On 6 Sep, hundreds of protesters gathered at Parliament Square to oppose Bhagwat’s address (earlier coverage).