Chicago – August 30, 2026
Ashok Arora, president of NRI International and former secretary of the Supreme Court Bar Association of India, criticized the RSS-BJP political agenda during a press conference at New York City Hall in late August 2026.
The event, organized by the Indian American Muslim Council and an interfaith coalition, opposed RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s scheduled program at Madison Square Garden on August 29.
Arora said, “Everybody, including minorities, Muslims, Sikhs, Dalits, Christians, tribals and women, nobody is safe in India.” He accused the RSS-BJP of concentrating political power and wealth while weakening democratic institutions and promoting discrimination.
Arora also challenged the RSS’s message of “Universal Oneness,” arguing that its actions have contributed to divisions among communities. He concluded by defending India’s pluralistic traditions and highlighting the importance of Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb, a shared culture of coexistence among different communities.
