Union Minister and BJP leader Kiren Rijiju recently strongly condemned the alleged disrespect shown to the Indian national flag during a protest outside Madison Square Garden in New York, where Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat addressed a gathering.
Bhagwat was speaking at the Universal Oneness Celebration organised by American Hindus for Engagement and Dialogue (AHEAD) when protesters gathered outside the iconic New York City venue on Saturday, August 29. Videos circulating on social media show demonstrators disrespecting the Indian tricolour.
One video showed a protester with the Indian flag tied around his foot. Another video seemed to picture demonstrators tearing an Indian tricolour while dancing and cheering. The authenticity and full context of individual social media videos could not be established from the material circulating online.
In response to the alleged incidents, Rijiju drew a line between criticism of political organisations and what he called an insult to India and its national symbols.
“We always said you have freedom to criticise RSS, BJP or Govt. but don’t abuse our nation. And listen carefully... Don’t insult our flag and my country. It will cost you very dearly,” Rijiju told X.
Pro-Khalistan groups are reported to be protesting outside Madison Square Garden
The protest involved pro-Khalistan and anti-India activists, with banners and posters protesting against the RSS and the Indian government. Slogans directed at India and the RSS were also raised outside the venue.
A cut-out depicting Mohan Bhagwat with a shoe garland was shown as part of the protest, the newspaper said. Bhagwat was in the United States as part of a larger international outreach programme for RSS centenary celebrations.
According to sources, members and supporters of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) were among those protesting. India has designated SFJ as a terrorist organisation under its domestic law. SFJ has advocated a separate Sikh state of Khalistan and has been involved in campaigns that have been critical of the Indian government.
The protest also showed the continuing friction between supporters of the Khalistan movement and the Indian government, not only during the high-profile visits by Indian political and social leaders abroad.
We always said, you have freedom to criticize RSS, BJP or Govt. but don't abuse our nation.
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) August 30, 2026
ध्यान से सुनें.. हमारे झंडे और मेरे देश का अपमान मत करो। यह तुम्हें बहुत ज़्यादा महंगा पड़ेगा। pic.twitter.com/THH2kT49yc
Mohan Bhagwat’s US visit draws attention
Bhagwat’s visit to the US is part of a three-country tour of the RSS’ centenary-year global reach. He has been meeting and interacting with the Indian diaspora and Hindu organisations in his travels.
AHEAD invited the RSS chief to address the Universal Oneness Celebration at the Infosys Theater in Madison Square Garden. The event was all about Hindu thought, cultural identity and global engagement.
Bhagwat’s appearance also became a flashpoint for critics of the RSS. Protesters outside the venue accused the organisation and the Indian government of promoting an ideology they oppose.
The demonstrations also come amid scrutiny of the RSS in the US. In the lead-up to Bhagwat’s visit, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom had been calling for sanctions against the RSS, a further controversy over his US trips.
Rijiju’s Warning Sparks Debate
Rijiju’s comments underline the government’s strong position on the protection and dignity of India’s national symbols, especially when protests involving Indian political or ideological issues take place overseas.
The minister seems to have also emphasised the idea that criticism of the RSS, BJP or government is part of democratic debate. But such criticism should not be applied to actions that he felt were insulting to the country or its national flag.
The issue hasn’t gone away but a lot of debate has already taken place on social media with supporters of the government pointing out the flag-related behaviour and opposition focusing on the freedom of protest and freedom of expression.
The incident outside Madison Square Garden has thus become more than just a protest against Bhagwat’s appearance. It has also revived debate around political protest outside the country, the treatment of national symbols and the debate over Khalistan-related activism.
