RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat urges Indian diaspora in US to embrace diversity

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat speaks at One World One Humanity at Faith Leaders Conference, in New York, USA, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026 | Photo: PTI

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat said that unity in diversity is in Bharat's DNA, underscoring that it has to be "celebrated, respected and accepted." Addressing over 6,000 members of the Indian-American community and interfaith leaders at a mega rally at Infosys Theatre in the iconic city Madison Square Garden on Saturday, Bhagwat gave a clarion call to embrace diversity and support communities.

"When we say America, 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, drawing applause from the attendees at the 'Universal Oneness Celebration' organised by the American Hindus For Engagement and Dialogue (AHEAD) forum.

"For Bharat, this unity and diversity, both are in the DNA," he said, citing Swami Vivekananda's message that every nation has a mission to accomplish, a destiny to fulfil.

"What is the destiny given to Bharat? Bharat is there to realise, and from time to time, make the world realise this unity in diversity. We are one, and due to this diversity, that oneness is decorated," the RSS chief said.

"Diversity has to be celebrated, respected, accepted, and at the same time, we must keep in mind this feeling of oneness. It is a very real feeling," he further said in the nearly hour-long address.

The Universal Oneness Celebration event brought together people from 39 states, 853 cities, with over 250 students from various universities and 250 organisations from the US.

Bhagwat emphasised the need to embrace diversity, saying that "we belong to each other", and stressing the need to give back to the community and the world.

"We owe everything to someone else. We take from the world, and so we have to give back. How much we earn is not important, how much we distribute is important." The 75-year-old also called on the Indian diaspora in the US to remain loyal to their "karmabhoomi" (land of action).

"What is our duty? We are in America. We live in America. We earn in America. So we are America, and we should behave true to America," he said to applause from the attendees.

"The diaspora, Bharatiya diaspora, they have a duty to their karmabhoomi. They must fulfil that. They should be loyal to their karmabhoomi," he said.

"Because Bharat is their janmabhoomi (motherland), if they have an urge to do something and they can do that after fulfilling their duty to their karmabhoomi, it is not prohibited, but it is not obligatory. Your janmabhoomi expects you to live the values it has imparted to you. The value is oneness," he added.

"Bharat expects you to live, as Bharat has given you the idea of life, because that is the model of sustainable living of human beings," he said.

The RSS chief stressed that a nation is not just a geographical piece of land.