Pro-Khalistan protesters desecrate Indian Tricolour outside Madison Square Garden during Bhagwat event

The demonstration followed a call by the Sikh Coordination Committee East Coast and was attended by several Sikh and pro-Khalistan organisations, including SFJ, Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), the American Gurdwara Management Committee, Khalistan Affairs Center and the Council of Khalistan, accordiing to the news portal Babushahi.

Protesters carried Khalistan flags and raised slogans against the Indian government and the RSS.

Videos circulating on social media purportedly showed protesters tearing an Indian flag, while another protester was seen allegedly insulting the Tricolour.

SFJ later shared footage of the incident on social media, with its general counsel Gurpatwant Singh Pannun accusing the RSS and BJP leadership of pursuing the creation of a Hindu nation.

Speaking during the demonstration, Sikh Coordination Committee coordinator Himmat Singh was quoted by Babushahi as saying: "The independence of Punjab is the only way to secure our national existence, identity and the future of future generations."

Harjinder Singh, media spokesperson for the Sikh Coordination Committee East Coast, told the news portal that the protest was intended to convey that the Sikh diaspora would continue to raise issues concerning their human, religious and political rights.

He said the community would pursue these issues through legal and peaceful means in the US and other democratic countries. He also said protesters would raise allegations of transnational repression against Sikhs with governments and human rights organisations.

The protest took place as Bhagwat delivered an address focused on unity, religious harmony and the inherent oneness of humanity.

During his speech, Bhagwat said that if a Hindu believes there should be no Muslims in Bharat, "he will not remain Hindu". He also called for sustained dialogue between communities.

Meanwhile, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju reacted to the video showing a protester desecrating the Indian flag and wrote on X: "We always said,  you have freedom to criticize RSS, BJP or Govt. but don't abuse our nation."