The X account of American Hindus for Engagement and Dialogue (AHEAD) forum, the organisers of an event in New York City set to feature Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat, was restored after being briefly suspended on Thursday.
RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat being received on his arrival at John F. Kennedy International Airport ahead of the Raksha Bandhan festival, in New York, United States. (Handout via PTI)
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The organisers put out a post on X after the account was restored, saying they were “back up” after being “botted” by some “misguided opponents” who got the handle blocked. The group also thanked X Support for restoring the account quickly.
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"We are back up! We got “botted” by misguided opponents who tried to game the X algorithm and get our handle blocked. A big thank you to @X @Support for the prompt response, restoring our account and clearing out the bots. Now, back to what really matters: celebrating Universal Harmony and Universal Oneness @Uni1ness', posted AHEAD Forum on X.
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"We are back up! We got “botted” by misguided opponents who tried to game the X algorithm and get our handle blocked. A big thank you to @X @Support for the prompt response, restoring our account and clearing out the bots. Now, back to what really matters: celebrating Universal Harmony and Universal Oneness @Uni1ness', posted AHEAD Forum on X.
The X account was briefly ‘unavailable’ to users and the AHEAD forum reportedly attributed the suspension to an error.
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The development comes two days after New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he did not support the RSS or the event, but maintained that the city had no jurisdiction to cancel it.
The rally is scheduled to be held at Madison Square Garden on August 29.
What did Mamdani say on RSS and Bhagwat's visit?
Mamdani said it was “incredibly troubling” to witness the rise of a movement in India that was based on what he described as an “exclusionary vision”.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Mamdani reiterated his opposition to the rally but said the city's government likely did not have the jurisdiction to cancel a private event.
“I also stand here as the first Indian American mayor in our city's history. My mother's family is all still in India. The vision of India that I was taught by my family and the one that I grew up being very familiar with was of a pluralistic society, of a secular republic, that believed in the belonging of each and every person who was from India."
USCIRF calls for sanction against RSS
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Members of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) also urged the US government not to extend diplomatic courtesies to Bhagwat and called for sanctions against the RSS.
The USCIRF also raised concerns over Bhagwat's visit and alleged that RSS subgroups have “perpetrated violent attacks against religious minorities”, according to a PTI report.
What caused the brief suspension of the AHEAD forum's X account?
The AHEAD forum attributed the brief suspension of their X account to being 'botted' by misguided opponents who attempted to manipulate the platform's algorithm.
Why is there controversy surrounding Mohan Bhagwat's NYC event?
The event has drawn controversy due to criticisms from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who opposes the ideology of the RSS, and concerns raised by the USCIRF regarding religious freedom in India.
How is the Hindu American Foundation responding to concerns about the NYC event?
The Hindu American Foundation issued a security advisory urging the community to remain vigilant and called on Mayor Mamdani to protect all New Yorkers, including event attendees, from potential disruptions aimed at the celebration.
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Home/World News/'We are back up': X account of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's New York City event organisers restored
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