Sharing the purported video on X, Rijiju said people are free to criticise the RSS, BJP or the government, but warned against disrespecting the Indian national flag.
“We always said, you have freedom to criticise RSS, BJP or Govt. but don't abuse our nation,” Rijiju wrote on X.
“Listen carefully... Do not insult our flag and my country. It will cost you dearly,” the Union minister added.
The unverified video, which is circulating on social media, allegedly shows a man desecrating the Indian flag outside Madison Square Garden in New York while others raised pro-Khalistan slogans.
The man appears to have wrapped part of the national flag around his shoes while continuously flaring and kicking the remaining portion. He was also seen dancing in the video as people around him cheered and took photographs.
The incident came as RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat addressed a gathering at Madison Square Garden on Saturday during the ‘Universal Oneness Celebration’ in New York City.
Bhagwat emphasised that unity in diversity is in the DNA of Indians. He said that when one thinks of America, the word “pluralism” often comes to mind.
“Whenever you think of America, one word is often discussed — pluralism. When we say Bharat, another phrase is discussed — unity in diversity. For Bharat, both unity and diversity are in its DNA,” he said.
Speaking about the concept of “oneness”, Bhagwat said that despite differences in the way people live and in their material needs, an “innate oneness” binds everyone together.
He also said that a Hindu who believes India should have no Muslims is not truly a Hindu.
“If you call yourself a Hindu, you must believe that all paths lead to the same destination. Every human being has inherent dignity, there is no fundamental difference between us,” Bhagwat said.
“Those who truly know view everyone equally, whether a learned scholar or a dog. These external differences merely decorate nature. While we must navigate through them in daily life, the underlying reality remains, we are one. The illusions of division exist and may thrive for a time, but eventually they will fade, only for new illusions to take their place,” he added.
Bhagwat’s New York event had sparked controversy amid opposition from some US-based Hindu organisations and following remarks by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Mamdani described it as “incredibly troubling” to see the rise of a movement in India based on what he called an “exclusionary vision”.
The circulation of the unverified flag-desecration video has now drawn a strong response from Rijiju, who reiterated that criticism of the RSS, BJP or government is permissible but warned against insulting the Indian flag and the country.
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