Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: The alleged insult of the Indian flag outside the venue of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s event at Madison Square Garden in New York has sparked significant controversy, with Union Minister Kiren Rijiju warning that disrespecting the tricolour would prove very costly, sharing a video of the incident on X on Sunday night.
Rijiju Draws Line Between Criticism and Flag Disrespect
Rijiju wrote that while people remain free to criticise the RSS, BJP or the government, disrespecting India’s flag and country would come at a heavy cost.
Protesters Allegedly Tied Flag to Foot, Chanted Khalistani Slogans
Certain organisations were protesting outside Bhagwat’s event at Madison Square Garden, and in the video shared by Rijiju, one protester was seen tying the Indian flag to his foot in an apparent act of disrespect, while other protesters reportedly tore the tricolour into pieces and raised pro-Khalistan slogans.
Bhagwat’s US and Canada Events Draw Opposition from Some Groups
Mohan Bhagwat’s events in New York, US, and Toronto, Canada, have drawn opposition from certain organisations who describe the RSS as anti-minority and communal. New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani had also opposed Bhagwat’s event, though protesters were ultimately unable to stop it from taking place.
Over 6,000 Indian-Americans Attend Universal Oneness Celebration
Reports indicate that the “Universal Oneness Celebration” held at Madison Square Garden on Saturday drew more than 6,000 Indian-Americans, with religious leaders from various faiths also participating, including Rabbi Jacob Blumenthal, Riverside Church senior minister Rev. Adriene Thorne, and Imam Talib M. Shareef, president of Masjid Muhammad in Washington DC, among others.
