Canadian Hindu groups urge Trudeau to allow RSS leader entry, reject ban

A broad alliance of Canadian Hindu organisations and civil‑liberty advocates has appealed to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to grant entry to Mohan Bhagwat, the chief of India’s Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and to dismiss calls for his exclusion.

More than one hundred groups signed a joint letter stating that any decision on Bhagwat’s immigration status must be based on solid evidence and due legal process, not on political pressure. They note that Canada’s Hindu community numbers over one million and that the RSS is widely recognised as a major Indian institution involved in community service, cultural initiatives and public discourse.

The coalition argues that denying Bhagwat entry would raise serious questions about freedom of expression, religious liberty and equal treatment under Canadian law. They stress that the RSS’s centenary celebrations, scheduled for this year, provide a context for the visit, which is also linked to the concept of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” – the idea that the world is one family.

Two Canadian MPs have alleged that Bhagwat has made hateful statements, advocated violence against religious minorities, issued targeted threats and maintained links with extremist groups. The Hindu coalition contends that these accusations are severe but must be substantiated with clear, independently verified evidence before being treated as factual.

The letter calls on opponents to present any supporting documentation for assessment through Canada’s established legal and governmental channels. It also challenges the claim that Bhagwat’s presence could spark social unrest or pose a threat to Canadian citizens.

The upcoming tour, set to begin on August 25, will see Bhagwat travel to the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, meeting diaspora leaders and participating in cultural events that underscore the RSS’s message of global unity during its historic centenary year.