More than 100 Canadian Hindu and civil liberties organisations have jointly urged Prime Minister Mark Carney's government to permit Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat to visit Canada, pushing back firmly against calls to bar him from entering the country. The groups argue that any immigration or public-safety decision involving Bhagwat must rest on credible evidence and due process — not political pressure.

The joint letter was addressed to Carney and three senior ministers: Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree, Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab, and Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand.

What Prompted the Letter

The appeal comes in response to demands by New Democratic Party (NDP) MPs Jenny Kwan and Heather McPherson, along with several organisations, asking the Canadian government to declare Bhagwat inadmissible and prevent his entry. According to the signatories, the two MPs have reportedly accused Bhagwat of a history of hate speech, advocating violence against religious minorities, engaging in targeted intimidation, and maintaining associations with criminal or listed terrorist organisations.

The letter does not dispute the right to raise concerns, but insists those allegations must meet a legal evidentiary standard before influencing government policy. 'These are exceptionally serious allegations. They should not be treated as political rhetoric or established as fact without clear, credible and independently verifiable evidence,' the letter states.

The Case for Bhagwat's Visit

The signatories described Bhagwat's proposed visit as significant to Canada's Hindu community, which they estimate at more than one million people. They characterised the RSS as a major Indian volunteer organisation engaged in community service, social initiatives, cultural activities, and public discourse. The RSS was founded in India in 1925 and Bhagwat has served as its Sarsanghchalak, or chief, since 2009.

The groups also challenged assertions that Bhagwat's presence would cause 'social disorder' or pose a threat to Canadians, calling such claims speculative. They argued that barring a visiting leader on unproven grounds would raise serious questions about pluralism, freedom of expression, and freedom of religion under Canadian law.

Concerns Over Anti-Hindu Prejudice

'Many Canadian Hindus may understandably perceive the campaign against Mr. Bhagwat as reflecting anti-Hindu prejudice or Hinduphobia,' the letter warned. The organisations drew a distinction between legitimate political disagreement — which they acknowledged as valid — and what they characterised as an effort to silence a community's right to welcome its own cultural and spiritual leaders.

The letter also cautioned that the views of individual MPs or organisations should not be presented as representative of all Canadians or all Canadian Hindus.

Who Signed and What They Want

The document lists 101 organisations, including the Canada India Foundation, Canadian Hindu Chamber of Commerce, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, VHP Canada, BAPS INC, and the Hindu Sikh Unity Forum Canada, alongside several temples and regional community associations. Its introductory passage references 'more than 101+' organisations, while the closing section claims the signatories collectively represent more than 500 organisations and civil liberties groups.

The groups called on the opposing MPs and organisations to formally submit any evidence they hold to established Canadian legal and governmental processes for proper assessment. 'Canada needs more dialogue, not division; more evidence, not allegations; more due process, not political pressure,' the letter concluded.

The Carney government has not yet publicly responded to the letter. How Ottawa navigates the competing demands will be closely watched by both Canada's Hindu diaspora and broader civil liberties advocates.