The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has said it is open to dialogue after protests and criticism surrounding RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s visit to London, where civil society groups urged Mayor Sadiq Khan to distance the Greater London Authority from events linked to the organisation.
Bhagwat is visiting London from September 2 to September 7, 2026, as the final leg of a three-nation centenary outreach tour. His visit followed protests in the United States and prompted fresh opposition from groups in the United Kingdom.
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RSS Says Different Voices Are Normal in Democracy
Responding to questions about a letter sent by civil society organisations to London Mayor Sadiq Khan, RSS media in-charge Sunil Ambekar said it was normal for different views to be expressed in a democracy.
“We are here for peace, integration, and oneness, and we are open to dialogue with everyone. There can be different voices in democracy. I think it’s very normal to raise different voices. So we are here for the dialogue, and we are engaging those who wish to hold dialogue,” Ambekar said at a press conference in London.
He added that the RSS had “nothing to hide” and was willing to explain its ideas and worldview openly.
“We are here to communicate what we are, what we think, how we think and what our worldviews are. We are very much open, there’s nothing to hide,” he said.
Ambekar also said the organisation expected debate and an exchange of views. “We’re open to the dialogue. Let them speak,” he said.
Civil Society Groups Write to London Mayor
Twenty civil society groups wrote to Mayor Sadiq Khan, urging him to condemn Bhagwat’s proposed event in London and calling on the Greater London Authority not to support or provide a venue for it.
The letter was also addressed to the UK’s Foreign Office. The organisations described Bhagwat’s visit as part of a public outreach effort supported by allies in the United Kingdom.
The groups criticised the RSS in strong terms and urged the mayor to refuse support for the proposed event. The letter was signed by organisations including Hindus for Human Rights, UK-Indian Muslim Council, India Labour Solidarity and South Asia Solidarity Group, among others.
The criticism in London followed similar opposition during Bhagwat’s visit to the United States.
Bhagwat’s Three-Nation Outreach Tour Continues
Bhagwat’s London visit forms the final leg of his three-nation centenary outreach tour.
Before arriving in the United Kingdom, he addressed more than 5,000 people at the “Universal Oneness Celebration” at Madison Square Garden in New York. During the event, he spoke about unity, diversity and dharma.
The RSS has maintained that it is willing to engage with critics and respond to differing opinions through dialogue. The debate around Bhagwat’s overseas engagements has continued to draw reactions from supporters and civil society groups in the countries he has visited.
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About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
