UK MP Bob Blackman welcomes RSS chief’s views as UK government faces questions over his visit
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat arrived in London on Thursday, the final stop of his three-nation tour covering the US, Canada and the UK as part of the organisation’s centenary-year global outreach.
Bhagwat is expected to address a large gathering of the Indian diaspora in Britain over the weekend. His arrival drew support from more than 100 British Hindu and community organisations, including the Hindu Council UK, Hindu Forum of Britain, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh UK and INSIGHT UK.
Conservative British MP Bob Blackman also welcomed the RSS chief, saying he was “pleased” to hear Bhagwat’s thoughts and ideas about the organisation’s future.
The visit, however, comes amid criticism in the US and questions in Britain. US lawmakers Rashida Tlaib and Jim McGovern had opposed Bhagwat’s New York appearance, alleging that the RSS promoted discrimination against religious minorities,claims associated with the controversy surrounding his US visit.
In the UK, questions were raised in Parliament over whether Bhagwat’s visit had been assessed under rules concerning hate speech and extremism. Security Minister Dan Jarvis said the government could not comment on individual cases but stressed that all visitors must meet UK immigration requirements.
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