New Delhi: When Khalistan supporters insulted the tricolor outside the program of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat in New York, America, the political temperature in India rose. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has given a stern warning by sharing the video – it will cost you dearly.
Tricolor pressed with foot, video goes viral
The matter is of Saturday. Mohan Bhagwat was addressing about 5000 people at Madison Square Garden. Pro-Khalistan Sikh organizations started protesting outside. In the viral video, a protestor is seen pressing the tricolor flag of India with his foot.
In some reports, the matter of tearing of the tricolor has also come to light. As soon as the video surfaced, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju got furious. While sharing the video on social media, he wrote, "It will cost you dearly. There is freedom to criticize RSS, BJP or the government, but insulting the country will not be tolerated."
Why did the demonstration take place outside Madison Square Garden?
The protesters raised slogans in support of Khalistan and protested against the policies of RSS, BJP and the Government of India. He alleged that Sikhs, Muslims and Christians are being discriminated against in India and efforts are being made to make the country a Hindu nation.
Not only Sikh organizations but also Muslims, Christians, Jews and people associated with some human rights organizations were involved in this demonstration. During the demonstration, people of the Indian-American community also opposed the Khalistanis.
Protestors also got angry at Jewish leader
The protests also took a strange turn. When Democratic leader Brad Lender arrived there, protesters also opposed him, accusing him of being pro-Jewish. This made the atmosphere even more heated.
Hindu American Foundation has expressed concern over this demonstration. The organization said that many serious incidents were witnessed outside Madison Square Garden, from threats by Khalistan supporters to hatred against Jews.
What did Bhagwat say?
On the other hand, during the program, Mohan Bhagwat talked about India's unity in diversity and Vasudhaiva Kutumbkam – seeing the world as one family. The opposing organizations have made serious allegations against the ideology of RSS, but thousands of Indian-Americans had attended Bhagwat's program.
After this incident, the controversy regarding RSS program in New York has intensified. After the Indian government's strict stance on the insult to the tricolor, demand for an investigation is now being raised in America.