00:01A political storm is building in London over the upcoming visit of RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat.
00:08Twenty civil society organizations in the United Kingdom are calling on London Mayor Sadiq Khan
00:13to stay away from an event being organized by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Song.
00:19In a letter to Khan, the groups described the RSS as an authoritarian and militarist group
00:25and accused the organization of drawing explicit inspiration from European fascism.
00:31They are also asking the Greater London Authority to not provide a venue for the RSS organized program.
00:37The campaign comes as Bhagwat is expected to address members of the Indian diaspora in Britain during his visit,
00:44which is part of international outreach events marking the RSS's centenary.
00:48But what was planned as a diaspora gathering is now turning into a heated political confrontation.
00:55The controversy is quickly spreading beyond London.
00:59The organizations opposing the visit have also approached the UK Foreign Office over Bhagwat's trip.
01:05According to reporting by The Independent, they argue that the visit is part of a broader public outreach campaign
01:11supported by RSS allies in Britain.
01:13The groups are also demanding information about security measures being prepared by the Metropolitan Police.
01:20Their concern is not limited to the event itself.
01:23They warn that Bhagwat's appearance could encourage RSS affiliates in Britain to promote what they describe as hate speech
01:31and could deepen existing divisions within the Indian diaspora.
01:35They also say vulnerable communities could feel intimidated or threatened during the visit.
01:41Bhagwat's London appearance is part of a much larger international campaign.
01:45The RSS is marking a hundred years since its founding.
01:49And Bhagwat's outreach has included visits to countries with large Indian diaspora populations.
01:54His international tour has already included the United States and Canada.
01:59But opposition has followed him across the Atlantic.
02:03Several Hindu organizations in the United States objected to the Universal Oneness celebrations in New York last week.
02:10That controversy is now being echoed in Britain, where civil society groups are demanding that political leaders and public authorities
02:18reconsider their involvement with the RSS event.
02:21One of the most prominent voices opposing the visit is former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.
02:27Corbyn, now a Your Party MP, has said Britain should not host what he described as the leader of a
02:34hate group with a grievous history of far-right violence.
02:37He has also characterized the organization as authoritarian, exclusionary, and discriminatory.
02:43Corbyn's criticism goes further, alleging that the organization has contributed to the suppression of religious freedom and inspired attacks against
02:52minorities.
02:53The claims reflect some of the strongest opposition to the visit.
02:57There is also political support for Bhagwat's visit.
03:00Conservative MP Bob Blackman has defended the chief's appearance.
03:04In a post on X, Blackman said he was pleased to listen to Bhagwat's thoughts and ideas for the future.
03:11That puts the controversy into sharp focus.
03:14On one side are civil society organizations and politicians accusing the RSS of authoritarianism, exclusion, and hostility towards minorities.
03:24On the other are supporters who argue that Bhagwat should be allowed to engage with the Indian diaspora and discuss
03:31his organization's ideas.
03:32The Greater London Authority now faces difficult questions.
03:37Should public institutions provide space or support for an organization that critics have accused of promoting divisive and exclusionary politics?
03:45Or should the authorities allow a legally organized diaspora event to proceed while ensuring that security and public order are
03:53maintained?
03:54The organizations opposing Bhagwat's visit want clear answers.
03:59They are asking about venue arrangements and police preparations while warning of possible tensions between different communities.
04:06Meanwhile, Bhagwat is expected to continue his international outreach as the RSS marks its 100th year.
04:13The clock is now ticking toward Bhagwat's appearance in Britain.
04:1620 civil society organizations have publicly raised objections.
04:22Jeremy Corbyn has condemned the visit in some of the strongest terms.
04:26Conservative MP Bob Blackman has defended it.
04:29And authorities are facing demands to explain how they intend to manage the event and protect communities amid heightened tensions.
04:36At the center of the dispute is the RSS, an organization that supporters portray as a major Hindu nationalist social
04:45movement,
04:45while critics accuse it of authoritarianism, exclusion, and hostility towards minorities.
04:53Subscribe to One India and never miss an update.
04:58Download the One India app now.
05:01The One India app, It's better to continue listening to Polski Magna.
05:03Jack exposedandal tw exemplo angels.
Comments