Those living in America should be loyal and true to America:Mohan Bhagwat at New York

RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat addressed a large gathering of the Indian diaspora and faith leaders in New York on 29 August 2026, delivering a strong message of oneness, inclusivity and harmony.

The speech was part of the “Universal Oneness Celebration” (also linked to the “One World, One Humanity” faith leaders’ conference) held at Madison Square Garden, organised during the RSS’s centenary-year global outreach.

Bhagwat said that while America is often associated with the idea of pluralism, Bharat’s defining principle is “unity in diversity,” which is deeply embedded in its DNA. He emphasised that people may appear different in nationality, language, religion and lifestyle, yet an innate oneness connects all of humanity. Diversity, he noted, is a decoration of this inner unity and must be accepted, respected and preserved. Just as one protects one’s own identity, one must also protect the identity of others.

A key portion of his address focused on Hindu thought and inclusivity. Recalling questions raised by Muslim community members during his 2018 lecture series in Delhi about the concept of Hindu Rashtra, Bhagwat reiterated:

“If any Hindu thinks that there should be no Muslim in Bharat, he will not remain Hindu.”

He stated that this is not Hindutva. True Hindu belief, he said, holds that all paths lead to the same goal or God, and that every human being has dignity with no fundamental difference between people.

Bhagwat described the RSS’s role as sharing the message that despite apparent diversities, humanity is one. He observed that politics has become a “game of self-interest,” and lasting change must therefore begin in society rather than through political channels. Public opinion shaped by society, he argued, can influence policy more effectively.

Addressing the Indian diaspora, he stressed their primary duty towards their Karma Bhumi (the land where they live and work).

Those living in America should be loyal and true to America, he said, while still being free to contribute to their Janmabhumi (Bharat) after fulfilling those responsibilities.

He also spoke of Dharma not as religion or mere worship, but as the balancing principle that sustains the universe and helps manage life’s dualities. The foundation of this, he said, is the unity of existence.

The event formed part of Bhagwat’s three-nation tour covering the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, undertaken as the RSS marks 100 years since its founding in 1925.