UK MP Defends RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat's Visit Amid Controversy

Mohan Bhagwat, the chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), arrived in London on Thursday as part of a three-nation tour that also included the United States and Canada. This visit marks a part of the RSS’s efforts to broaden its global outreach while celebrating its centenary. Bhagwat is scheduled to address a gathering of the Indian diaspora in the UK over the weekend.

Bob Blackman, a Conservative Member of Parliament (MP), expressed his support for Bhagwat, commenting on social media, "Pleased to listen to the thoughts & ideas for the future of @RSSorg by RSS Chief Dr Mohan Bhagwat this evening." This statement follows criticism faced by Bhagwat during his previous engagements in the US, particularly ahead of an event at Madison Square Garden in New York.

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) had urged the US government to evaluate imposing sanctions on RSS members and to reconsider high-level meetings or diplomatic courtesies extended to Bhagwat during his visit.

Support for Bhagwat's UK visit has come from over 100 British Hindu and community organisations, including the Hindu Council UK and the Hindu Forum of Britain. These groups issued a joint statement welcoming Bhagwat, highlighting the RSS as the largest voluntary organisation globally, dedicated to various social and community initiatives. They noted that the RSS has been instrumental in efforts related to education, equality, and disaster response.

The organisations stated, "RSS is known for its extensive social work, promoting equality, education in remote and inaccessible areas, and being the 'first to respond' organisation in situations of natural disaster." They voiced appreciation for Bhagwat's promotion of five key transformations during the centenary commemoration, namely social harmony, family importance, selfless service, environmental stewardship, and civic duty.

However, Bhagwat's visit has also faced significant opposition. Some civil society organisations have called for the British government to oppose the event, asserting that the RSS promotes discriminatory ideology. A letter was sent to London Mayor Sadiq Khan by 20 civil society groups, warning that the event could exacerbate tensions within the Indian diaspora and promote hate speech. The letter described the RSS as an "authoritarian and militarist group" and requested a boycott of Bhagwat's events in the UK. Former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn similarly voiced concerns, labelling the RSS as a "hate group with a grievous history of far-right violence."

In parliament, British Indian MP Nadia Whittome questioned the UK Home Office regarding their assessment of Bhagwat's visit in light of government claims to block hate preachers. Security Minister Dan Jarvis confirmed that the Home Office cannot comment on individual cases but remains vigilant regarding threats of violence and hatred.

Bhagwat’s engagement in New York, attended by around 5,000 members of Indian American communities, has drawn mixed reactions. While advocating for unity and respect for diverse beliefs, Bhagwat faced criticism from US lawmakers, who alleged that the RSS and its ideologies promote religious discrimination in India.

Bhagwat addressed his audience in New York by stating that true Hindus should embrace all beliefs, asserting, "If you call yourself Hindu, you must believe all paths are leading to the same goal." He further encouraged the Indian diaspora to fulfil their responsibilities in their adopted countries, stressing the importance of civic engagement.

The ongoing debates about Bhagwat's visit reflect broader concerns related to community cohesion and the implications of ideology within multicultural societies like the UK, as various stakeholders weigh the potential impact of this high-profile visit.