More than 100 British Hindu and community organisations have welcomed Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat to the UK, where he arrived in London on Thursday as part of the final leg of his three-nation tour.
Bhagwat’s visit to the UK follows his engagements in the US and Canada as part of international outreach programmes marking the RSS centenary.
Hindu Groups Defend RSS
Hindu Council UK, Hindu Forum of Britain, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh UK and INSIGHT UK were among the organisations that issued a joint statement welcoming Bhagwat.
The groups described the RSS as “the largest voluntary organisation in the world” and said it was involved in character building, volunteering, leadership, social cohesion and promoting global fraternity.
They also highlighted what they described as the organisation’s social work, including education in remote areas, disaster response and promoting equality.
The organisations said Bhagwat was promoting five “transformations” as part of the RSS centenary celebrations: social harmony and cohesion, the importance of family, selfless service, environmental stewardship and civic duties.
Bhagwat is expected to address a large gathering of the Indian diaspora in the UK over the weekend.
UK Government Responds to Concerns
Bhagwat’s visit has also been raised in the British Parliament.
UK Security Minister Dan Jarvis responded to a written question from British Indian minister Nadia Whittome, who had asked whether the government had fully assessed the visit in line with its commitment to prevent hate preachers and extremists from entering the UK.
Jarvis said the Home Office could not comment on individual cases but remained committed to addressing threats and “tackling anyone who spreads views that promote violence and hatred against individuals and communities”.
“All individuals seeking entry to the UK must meet the requirements of the immigration rules,” he said.
Civil Society Groups Oppose Visit
The parliamentary exchange came after several civil society organisations, led by the South Asia Solidarity Group and Hindus for Human Rights UK, appealed to the British government to boycott Bhagwat’s visit.
Despite the opposition, more than 100 British Hindu and community organisations have publicly backed the RSS chief’s visit, while the UK government has said that the requirements under its immigration rules were met.
