Kiren Rijiju issues a strong warning after Indian flag desecration incident during a protest outside Madison Square Garden
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has strongly condemned an incident involving the Indian national flag during a protest outside New York’s Madison Square Garden, warning those responsible that insulting the country and its national flag would have consequences.
The incident took place on Saturday as RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat addressed a gathering at Madison Square Garden. A video shared by Rijiju appeared to show a protester stepping on an Indian flag, while other demonstrators raised pro-Khalistan slogans. The video also appeared to show the flag being torn.
‘Do not insult our flag and my country’
Reacting to the video on X, Rijiju said political criticism of the RSS, BJP or the government was within people’s rights, but drew a distinction between political opposition and what he described as an insult to the nation.
“We always said, you have freedom to criticise RSS, BJP or government. But don’t abuse our nation,” Rijiju said.
He then issued a direct warning to those involved, saying: “Do not insult our flag and my country. It will cost you very dearly.”
The minister’s remarks came amid a wider protest outside the New York venue against Bhagwat and the RSS.
Protesters demonstrate outside Bhagwat event
Bhagwat was in New York as part of the RSS’s centenary-year global outreach and addressed more than 6,000 members of the Indian-American community and interfaith leaders at the Infosys Theater in Madison Square Garden.
The event, titled the Universal Oneness Celebration, focused on themes including unity, diversity and social harmony.
Protests were held outside the venue by groups opposed to Bhagwat and the RSS. The demonstrations included slogans associated with the Khalistan movement, according to reports and the video shared by Rijiju.
The RSS has faced criticism from some groups in the United States over its ideology and its record on religious and social issues. The US Commission on International Religious Freedom had also called for action against RSS members ahead of Bhagwat’s visit, while India’s Ministry of External Affairs rejected the commission’s criticism as lacking credibility.
Calls for authorities to identify protesters
Following the flag incident, several people on social media called on US authorities to investigate the protesters seen in the video and determine whether any were Indian citizens.
Some also urged Indian authorities to examine whether those involved could face action under applicable Indian laws if they were Indian nationals. However, there was no immediate indication of any such legal action.
Political criticism versus national symbols
The New York incident has sparked a fresh debate over the limits of political protest and the treatment of national symbols.
Rijiju maintained that criticism of political organisations and the government was acceptable, but argued that such opposition should not extend to insulting India or its national flag.
The minister’s warning comes as the controversy surrounding Bhagwat’s international outreach continues to draw both support and opposition among sections of the Indian diaspora in the United States.
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