Three Sikh-American organizations have urged US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to deny entry to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat ahead of his planned visit to the United States.
WASHINGTON: Three Sikh-American organizations have urged U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to deny entry to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat, citing concerns over the organization’s alleged record on religious minorities in India.
In a letter dated Aug. 20, the American Sikh Caucus Committee (ASCC), Sikh Coordination Committee East Coast (SCCEC) and American Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (AGPC) said Bhagwat is expected to visit the United States beginning around Aug. 25. The letter also referred to a major public event scheduled at Madison Square Garden in New York on Aug. 29.
The organizations alleged that the RSS and affiliated groups have been linked to ideology and activities contributing to violence, discrimination and persecution against religious minorities, including Sikhs, Muslims and Christians. They also raised concerns about what they described as transnational pressure and intimidation affecting Sikh Americans.
The groups argued that allowing the RSS chief to enter and be publicly honored in the United States could send a troubling message regarding religious freedom.
The letter was addressed to Rubio, who serves as U.S. secretary of state, and offered to provide additional information to his staff.
The appeal was signed by ASCC Coordinator Pritpal Singh, SCCEC Coordinator Himmat Singh and AGPC Acting President Gurdev Singh Nannan. Harjinder Singh, executive director of ASCC, also signed the correspondence.
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