A Culture War Beyond Borders: The RSS's American Odyssey The impending speech by Mohan Bhagwat, leader of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), at Madison Square Garden in New York City has sparked protests and calls for sanctions from various quarters.
As a cultural and ideological force, the RSS has been a dominant player in India's politics for decades, with its influence extending far beyond the country's borders to Indian diaspora communities worldwide.
The group's American visit, touted as an exercise in "open dialogue" and "mutual respect," raises important questions about the limits of free speech and cultural exchange.