Three religion leaders in New York have alleged that they have been “misled” into taking part within the ‘Common Oneness Celebration’ occasion on Saturday at Madison Sq. Backyard that includes RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.
Rev. Adriene Thorne, senior minister of the Riverside Church, stated in a video shared on Instagram that her presence on the occasion beside Bhagwat was a “mistake”.
“My presence created the misunderstanding that Riverside Church or I endorse Mr Bhagwat, the RSS or the ideology related to the organisation. We don’t,” Thorne stated.
The religion chief additionally claimed that for six weeks throughout the summer season, whereas she was on trip, she repeatedly obtained invites from a gaggle known as the World Council of Non secular Leaders.
“They described the occasion as an interfaith gathering centered on peace, human dignity, and cooperation amongst religions. They named leaders from many traditions and spoke of practically 200 religion leaders coming collectively”, Thorne stated. “Sounds good, proper?”
Nonetheless, the organisers — American Hindus for Engagement and Dialogue (AHEAD) Discussion board — “withheld vital info”, based on Thorne.
“I used to be by no means advised that Mohan Bhagwat can be the central determine on the MSG occasion. I used to be by no means advised the RSS can be concerned. I used to be by no means advised about AHEAD or any organisation related to Hindu nationalism,” she stated.
“Even the programme they despatched left the visitor of honour clean – an area I later discovered was reserved for Mohan Bhagwat”, Thorne claimed, clarifying that she would “by no means have participated” within the occasion had she identified in regards to the Bhagwat-RSS connection.
“The RSS has been extensively documented for its function in violence and discrimination in opposition to non secular minorities in India — Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Dalits, and others. These harms are actual they usually matter deeply,” Thorne alleged, reaffirming the Riverside Church’s beliefs of “genuine” pluralism, racial justice, peace and solidarity with folks pushed to the margins.
“I’m offended that I used to be not given the data I wanted to make an knowledgeable resolution and I wish to be certain that this doesn’t occur to different religion leaders,” Thorne stated.
“I reject Hindu supremacy simply as I reject Muslim or Christian supremacy or any ideology that elevates one group over one other,” she stated.
Winnie Varghese, Dean of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York Metropolis, additionally stated that quite a lot of her colleagues have been invited to the MSG occasion with out being knowledgeable of Bhagwat’s attendance.
“The RSS has an exquisite title which suggests service to the nation however beneath has been accountable for radical violence in the direction of Dalits, Muslims and Christians in India. It’s a really particular operation the place there’s an empowerment of Hindu identification and celebration of volunteerism, which may be very constructive, however beneath that there’s an concept that India is a Hindu nation and solely meant for Hindus”, Varghese stated.
She expressed “deep remorse” over the fallout after her associates have been “misled” to take part within the occasion, which could have appeared as affirmation to the Sangh and its ideology.
Imam Shamsi Ali, an NYC-based Muslim and interfaith chief, known as his attendance at that occasion “a severe error in judgement” and expressed deep remorse.
“I categorically reject any affiliation of my title with the occasion or any settlement ensuing from it,” Ali stated.
He defined that he had been invited with out being knowledgeable that Bhagwat can be the central visitor. He stated that had he identified the true function of the occasion, he wouldn’t have attended.
Referring to the RSS chief, Ali stated, “His rhetoric of peace on the occasion is lip service that contradicts the truth on the bottom, the place Muslims and different minorities in India face discrimination and violence on account of the ideology he promotes.”
Ali clarified that after studying the character of the gathering, he refused to take part additional and apologised to the group, reaffirming his dedication to sincere and simply interfaith work.
