London, Sept 4:
More than 100 British Hindu and community organisations have welcomed RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s visit to the United Kingdom, where he has arrived as part of a three-nation overseas outreach programme linked to the organisation’s centenary.
The Hindu Council UK, Hindu Forum of Britain, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh UK and INSIGHT UK were among the organisations that issued a joint statement supporting Bhagwat’s visit.
The groups described the RSS as a voluntary organisation involved in social work, education, disaster response and community activities. They also welcomed initiatives associated with the RSS centenary, including social harmony, family values, selfless service, environmental stewardship and civic responsibility.
Bhagwat is scheduled to address a large gathering of the Indian diaspora in the UK during his visit. His wider overseas tour has already included the United States and Canada.
The visit has also attracted political and civil-society scrutiny in Britain. The issue was raised in Parliament, where UK Security Minister Dan Jarvis said the government could not comment on individual cases but that all people seeking entry into the country must meet immigration requirements.
While some organisations have opposed Bhagwat’s visit and urged the British government to reconsider it, more than 100 British Hindu and community organisations have publicly backed his UK programme.