Over 100 Canadian Groups Back Mohan Bhagwat’s Proposed Visit

New Delhi, August 22, 2026 More than 100 Canadian Hindu and civil liberties organisations have urged the government led by Prime Minister Mark Carney to allow RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat to visit Canada. In a joint submission to senior federal ministers, the groups said that any decision regarding his entry should be based on established law, credible evidence and due process, rather than political pressure. The organisations opposed calls by NDP MPs Jenny Kwan and Heather McPherson, along with other groups, seeking to prevent Bhagwat from entering Canada. The signatories argued that the serious allegations levelled against him must be supported by clear and independently verifiable evidence. The letter stated, “Serious allegations require credible evidence.” It further stressed, “These are exceptionally serious allegations. They should not be treated as political rhetoric or established as fact without clear, credible and independently verifiable evidence.” The coalition also questioned claims that Bhagwat’s visit could pose a threat to public safety or trigger social unrest, asking what specific evidence supported such concerns. “Canada’s immigration and public safety decisions must be based on established law, credible evidence and due process, not speculation and political rhetoric,” the letter appealed. The groups also said that excluding Bhagwat without sufficient proof could raise concerns about fairness, pluralism and the treatment of Canada’s Hindu community, with some viewing the campaign as reflecting “anti-Hindu prejudice or Hinduphobia.” The joint effort includes the Canada India Foundation, Canadian Arya Samaj, Brampton Hindu Society, Hindu Society of Canada, Hindu Mission of Canada, Hindu Sabha Temple, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, VHP Canada and several other community organisations. As Bhagwat’s proposed visits to the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom continue to draw both support and opposition, the signatories have called on Canadian authorities to ensure that their final decision is guided by evidence, equality and due process rather than allegations or political pressure.