UK Groups Call for Boycott of Mohan Bhagwat Event, Describe RSS as ‘Authoritarian, Militarist Group’

London: Mohan Bhagwat’s visit to the United Kingdom has triggered a fresh political and community debate, with more than 20 civil society and Indian diaspora organisations urging London Mayor Sadiq Khan to boycott events associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief.

In a letter to the mayor, the organisations asked the Greater London Authority (GLA) not to provide any venue under its control for an RSS-linked event and called for neither Khan nor representatives of his office to participate in or endorse such programmes.

The organisations described the RSS as an “authoritarian and militarist group” and alleged that the organisation and its affiliates have been associated with discrimination and violence against minority communities in India. These are allegations made by the groups, not findings established by the London authorities.

Groups raise concerns over Bhagwat's UK visit

Bhagwat, the RSS's chief, is in Britain as part of an international outreach tour marking the organisation's centenary. His visit to the UK follows engagements in the United States and Canada.

The UK organisations said his visit represents an attempt to increase the RSS's international profile. They urged British officials to examine whether the visit could have implications for community relations and public safety.

Among the organisations supporting the campaign are Hindus for Human Rights UK, UK-Indian Muslim Council, India Labour Solidarity and South Asia Solidarity Group, alongside other civil society and diaspora organisations.

What the letter to Sadiq Khan says

The groups asked Khan to clarify whether any GLA-controlled venue would be made available for Bhagwat or an RSS-linked programme.

They also called for the mayor to ensure that no GLA representative attends or provides an official message of support to an RSS event.

The organisations further asked British authorities about security arrangements for communities they say could be vulnerable to intimidation or hostility during the visit. They also urged officials to consider the UK's immigration and extremism-related rules when assessing Bhagwat's presence in Britain.

A separate letter addressed to UK officials, including the Foreign Office's Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief David Smith and the chair of the relevant parliamentary group, Jim Shannon, called for a public condemnation of the RSS and sanctions against members and affiliates.

2002 Gujarat riots cited in opposition

The campaigners also referred to the 2002 Gujarat riots, alleging that RSS-linked organisations were involved in communal violence during the unrest.

Their letter cited a contemporaneous British High Commission assessment that described the violence as having “all the hallmarks of ethnic cleansing”. The organisations also referred to concerns raised by international religious-freedom and human-rights bodies about the treatment of minorities in India.

The groups have also pointed to the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) and its previous calls concerning sanctions against RSS figures.

RSS outreach campaign

The opposition in Britain follows protests and criticism surrounding Bhagwat's recent visit to the US.

During his US tour, Bhagwat addressed an Indian diaspora gathering at Madison Square Garden in New York. New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani had publicly said he did not support the event, while making clear that he did not have the authority to cancel a privately organised gathering.

The RSS has presented Bhagwat's international tour differently, describing it as an effort to provide a “factual and positive perspective” on India, Hindu society and the organisation amid what it calls misconceptions about the RSS.

Supporters also welcome Bhagwat

The opposition is not the only response to Bhagwat's UK visit.

More than 100 Hindu organisations in Britain have reportedly welcomed his visit and praised the RSS's work in areas such as social service, community cohesion and character development. The development highlights the sharply divided reactions within the Indian diaspora.

The controversy therefore extends beyond the question of whether Bhagwat will address British audiences. It has become part of a wider debate over the RSS's international activities, Hindu nationalism, freedom of expression and the responsibilities of public institutions when controversial political or ideological organisations hold private events.

What happens next?

Bhagwat's UK visit is scheduled to continue until September 7, although details of his London engagements have largely remained private.

For now, the campaign groups are pressing Khan and British officials for assurances that public venues and official resources will not be used to support RSS events.

The controversy also mirrors the response to Bhagwat's recent North American tour, where his appearances generated both strong opposition and support among sections of the Indian diaspora.