RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat in New York urges Indian diaspora to stay loyal to ‘karma bhumi’

August 30, 2026

New York: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Saturday urged the Bharatiya diaspora in the United States to remain loyal to their country of residence while continuing to uphold the values and cultural traditions associated with their ‘janma bhumi’.

Speaking at the Universal Oneness Celebration at Madison Square Garden in New York, Bhagwat said members of the Indian diaspora living in the US have a responsibility towards their ‘karma bhumi’, or country where they live and work.

He said people should first fulfil their responsibilities towards the country they reside in before thinking about contributing to their ‘janma bhumi’.

“What is our duty? We are in America, we live in America, we earn in America. So we are American. And we should behave true to America,” Bhagwat said.

He stressed that the diaspora should remain loyal to their country of residence, while carrying with them the values imparted by their homeland.

Bhagwat highlights India’s ‘unity in diversity’

During his address, the RSS chief also highlighted India’s tradition of unity in diversity and said the country should demonstrate to the world that diversity and oneness can coexist.

Drawing a comparison with the United States, Bhagwat said pluralism is frequently associated with America, while India is widely described through the idea of unity in diversity.

“When we say United States of America, one word is often discussed frequently. That is pluralism. And when we say Bharat, another phrase is discussed: unity in diversity,” he said.

Bhagwat added that both unity and diversity are embedded in India’s cultural ethos.

He also invoked Swami Vivekananda and said nations should not be viewed merely as geographical entities, as they also have a larger purpose and a destiny to fulfil.

RSS chief speaks about Muslims

At another event in New York, Bhagwat addressed questions about the RSS’ position on Muslims and said Hindutva does not mean excluding Muslims from India.

Speaking at the One World: One Humanity Faith Leaders’ Summit, he said the RSS believes that humanity is one despite differences and that the organisation seeks to communicate this message globally.

Bhagwat said India has traditionally provided shelter to people who could not find safety elsewhere and described this as part of the country’s tradition.

Responding to questions from Muslims about the concept of Hindu Rashtra, Bhagwat said Hindus who believe that Muslims should have no place in India would not remain true to Hinduism.

“Muslim brothers asked me a question: You are a Hindu organisation, you see Hindu Rashtra, what about us Muslims? Would you drive us out? I said, no, that is not Hindutva,” he said.

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

He further stressed the importance of collective identity, saying that a focus on “we” and “ours” could provide a solution to divisions based on individual interests.

Bhagwat’s US visit

Bhagwat arrived in the United States on Tuesday as part of the RSS’ global outreach programme during its centenary year.

During his visit, he has participated in events focused on unity, cultural identity, pluralism and interfaith dialogue.