Mumbai To Host 4th World Hindu Congress

Mumbai: Mumbai will host the fourth World Hindu Congress (WHC) from December 18 to 20, with over 4,000 delegates from more than 60 countries expected to participate. RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat will address the inaugural session at the Jio World Convention Centre in BKC. The three-day event will feature over 45 sessions and 150 speakers from diverse fields, including politics, economy, education, youth, women, media and Hindu organisations. Four special plenaries — Dharma, Samaj, Bhasha and Vishwakarma — will focus on contemporary challenges, social cohesion, linguistic diversity, skills and entrepreneurship. Swami Vigyananand, initiator of the World Hindu Congress, said that the issue of controlling Hindu temples will also be discussed at the event.

Speaking with reporters at the Mumbai Press Club, Mr Vigyananand said that the theme of the World Hindu Congress 2026 is “Samanam Vratam Saha Chittam – Shared Commitment, Collective Resolve”. The three-day programme will provide a global platform for Hindu leaders and institutions to connect, deliberate and collaborate on issues concerning Hindu society.

He also said that Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav will also participate in the programme. “Dr Mohan Bhagwat will address the inaugural session of the Congress, which will feature more than 45 sessions and over 150 speakers representing diverse fields, including economy, politics, education, youth, Hindu organisations, women and media,” he said.

When asked whether the issue of controlling the temples would be discussed in the programme, he said that since the government is not controlling and managing churches, mosques and Gurdwaras, it does not have the right to control Hindu temples. Therefore, Hindu temples should be given back to the Hindu people to manage their affairs. “The temple is owned by Hindu society. In Kerala, temples are being managed by communists, who do not regard the temples. We will hold a discussion on the lands belonging to Hindu temples. The government can’t allot temple land for other purposes,” he said. They will raise a demand to constitute Hindu boards.

According to the organisers, the Bhasha plenary will highlight the linguistic diversity of Hindu society and the role of languages in preserving civilisational knowledge, literature, traditions and cultural identity. The Vishwakarma session will focus on skills, entrepreneurship, innovation, skilled workforce and the contribution of artisans, craftsmen and professionals to economic and social development.

According to the organisers, Hindus constitute a global community of more than 1.2 billion people living in nearly 180 countries. The Congress is held once every four years. Its earlier editions were held in New Delhi in 2014, Chicago in 2018 and Bangkok in 2023.

Mr Vigyananand said that a World Hindu Expo will also be launched alongside WHC 2026. The expo would seek to promote trade and commerce and create opportunities for economic growth for Hindu society.