RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's scheduled address in New York on 29 August presents a rare opportunity to reframe the global conversation around the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, according to American singer Mary Millben. Speaking in an interview, Millben said Bhagwat should use the gathering to present the organisation's current work and message directly to an American audience largely unfamiliar with it.

What Millben Said About the Visit

Millben, known in India for her renditions of 'Jana Gana Mana' and the devotional hymn 'Om Jai Jagdish Hare', welcomed Bhagwat's arrival in the United States. She noted that most Americans beyond the Indian American community have little to no awareness of the RSS or its activities.

'You walk down the street in New York or talk to the average American in the United States, and they have no idea what RSS is,' she said. She added that it was important for Bhagwat and other RSS leaders to 'relay what the message of RSS is today,' rather than allow the narrative to be shaped by political controversy.

The Unity Rally and Its Political Backdrop

The New York event, themed around oneness and unity, has generated political debate in the city ahead of Bhagwat's arrival. Millben said the rally offered a 'great opportunity' to invite representatives of other faiths, arguing that genuine interfaith participation would strengthen the message of religious freedom that the event is meant to project.

'If the title of the rally is about oneness and unity, it's a great opportunity for them to invite other people that can show the support of an organisation like RSS,' she said. This comes amid broader scrutiny of the RSS's international outreach, as the organisation — founded in 1925 — continues to expand its engagement with diaspora communities in the West.

Millben's Criticism of New York Mayor Mamdani

Millben sharply criticised New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani over his remarks surrounding Bhagwat's visit. She linked his stance to his association with the Democratic Socialists of America, describing that movement as radical.

'I expect him to be in opposition to anything coming over from India that is pro-democracy, that is pro-religious freedom, and that is certainly pro-Prime Minister Modi,' she said. Millben argued that Mamdani's comments were aimed less at Bhagwat personally and more at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and what he represents. 'They were not necessarily directed towards the RSS chief; they were directed towards Prime Minister Modi and what the Prime Minister represents in the context of India, religious freedom,' she said.

She described Mamdani as a 'talented young man' who had been 'misguided' by forces within his own party, adding that with better political mentorship, 'he could have a great future.'

Background: RSS and Bhagwat

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh was founded in 1925 and describes itself as a volunteer-based cultural organisation. Mohan Bhagwat has served as its Sarsanghchalak, or chief, since 2009. The organisation has played an influential role in India's broader Hindu nationalist movement and has faced periodic controversy both domestically and abroad. Bhagwat's New York address marks one of the more prominent international appearances by an RSS chief in recent years.

Millben expressed hope that the event would 'silence the noise' of political opposition and allow the RSS leadership to make a substantive case to American audiences on its own terms.