More than 100 Canadian organisations and community groups have urged Ottawa not to block RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s proposed visit to Canada, arguing that any decision on his admissibility should be based on credible evidence, Canadian law and due process rather than political pressure.
The letter was sent to Prime Minister Mark Carney, Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree, Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab and Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand. It comes amid calls from NDP MPs Jenny Kwan and Heather McPherson, along with other groups, for Bhagwat to be barred from entering Canada.
The signatories said Bhagwat’s proposed visit is of significant interest to Canada’s Hindu community and strongly challenged allegations that he has promoted hate speech, violence against religious minorities, intimidation or links to criminal or terrorist organisations.
“Serious allegations require credible evidence,” the letter said, arguing that such claims should not be treated as established fact without independent verification.
The groups called on Canadian authorities to identify and assess any evidence against Bhagwat through the proper legal and immigration processes. They also rejected claims that his presence in Canada would necessarily pose a threat to public safety or social order.
According to the letter, immigration and security decisions should be determined by established law and verifiable information rather than speculation or political rhetoric.
The organisations warned that excluding Bhagwat without substantiated evidence could create a perception within parts of the Hindu community that Canadian Hindus and their institutions are being treated differently from other religious and cultural communities.
The signatories framed their appeal around Canadian principles of multiculturalism, freedom of religion, freedom of expression, peaceful association and equality before the law.
At the same time, they acknowledged that political criticism and peaceful demonstrations against Bhagwat or the RSS are legitimate forms of expression. Their objection, they said, is specifically to calls for preventing his entry based on allegations they argue have not been sufficiently substantiated.
The letter also warned that some Canadian Hindus could interpret the campaign against Bhagwat as reflecting “anti-Hindu prejudice or Hinduphobia,” while stressing that no individual organisation or political representative should be treated as speaking for all Canadians or all members of the Hindu community.
The groups described Bhagwat’s public emphasis as being focused on social harmony, cultural identity and community service, and called on political and community leaders to avoid rhetoric that could deepen divisions.
Among the organisations supporting the appeal are the Canada India Foundation, Canada India Global Forum, Canadian Arya Samaj, Brampton Hindu Society, Hindu Society of Canada, Hindu Mission of Canada, Hindu Sabha Temple, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh and VHP Canada, along with numerous temples and cultural associations.
The letter concluded by urging Ottawa to uphold due process and equal treatment while assessing Bhagwat’s proposed visit, framing the dispute as a broader test of how Canada balances public safety, religious freedom, multiculturalism and political expression.
