Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Sunday condemned what he described as the desecration of the Indian flag by protesters outside the New York venue where Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat addressed the event. Rijiju shared a video of the incident on the social media platform X and warned that disrespecting the national flag would have serious consequences.
In his post, Rijiju emphasized that while criticism of the RSS, the BJP or the government is permissible, it should not extend to insulting the nation. He wrote, “Listen carefully… Do not insult our flag and my country. It will cost you dearly.” The video shows a protester handling the Indian flag in a manner the minister called desecration, with other demonstrators chanting pro‑Khalistan slogans.
The event took place at the Infosys Theatre within Madison Square Garden, where Bhagwat addressed more than 6,000 members of the Indian‑American community and interfaith leaders on Saturday. Bhagwat called for the celebration of diversity, stating that “unity in diversity is in Bharat’s DNA” and urging respect for all communities.
Prior to Bhagwat’s keynote, interfaith representatives highlighted themes of oneness, compassion and mutual support. Speakers included Rabbi Jacob Blumenthal, chief executive officer of the Rabbinical Assembly; Reverend Adriene Thorne, senior minister of New York’s historic Riverside Church and the first African‑American woman to hold that position; and Talib M. Shareef, president and imam of the historic Masjid Muhammad in Washington, DC.
The gathering highlighted solidarity among faiths and cultures.
