US religious panel seeks action against RSS chief over rights concerns
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom raised concerns about Bhagwat’s visit and called for possible action against RSS members and Indian officials.
Bhagwat, who leads the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, is visiting the United States and is scheduled to address an event in New York City on Saturday.
The RSS is a major Hindu nationalist organisation and is widely regarded as the ideological parent of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.
Panel calls for targeted sanctions
Asif Mahmood, chair of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, urged the US government to consider targeted sanctions against RSS members.
The panel also called for action against Indian officials it says may be involved in religious freedom violations. It further suggested that the United States consider cancelling Bhagwat’s visa.
The commission’s recommendations are not legally binding. Washington has also not imposed sanctions following some of its recent recommendations.
USCIRF is a bipartisan US government body that monitors religious freedom worldwide. It provides recommendations to the American government on religious freedom conditions and related policy matters.
The latest statement has brought renewed attention to the RSS and its activities outside India.
RSS rejects accusations of intolerance
The RSS has defended its activities and rejected claims that it promotes intolerance toward religious minorities.
The organisation describes itself as a “Hindu-centric civilisational, cultural movement”. It says its objective includes strengthening Hindu society and taking India “to the pinnacle of glory”.
The group had previously said it was organising overseas visits to challenge what it described as perceptions that the RSS is a paramilitary organisation involved in attacks against minorities.
The organisation maintains that its activities are cultural and social in nature.
Bhagwat’s current US visit has nevertheless attracted scrutiny from rights advocates and religious freedom groups.
India disputes US commission’s position
India’s foreign ministry has rejected the allegations made by USCIRF.
Indian authorities have previously described the commission as biased against India and have questioned the basis of several of its assessments.
The BJP-led Indian government has also denied allegations that its policies discriminate against religious communities.
Government officials say welfare programmes, including food assistance and electrification initiatives, are designed to benefit people across different communities.
The disagreement highlights the wider diplomatic debate between India and international rights organisations over religious freedom and minority protections.
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Rights groups raise concerns
Human rights organisations and international bodies have raised concerns about the treatment of minorities in India in recent years.
Rights advocates have pointed to issues including hate speech, legislation linked to religion, demolition of properties belonging to Muslims and restrictions affecting religious freedom.
They have also raised concerns about changes to occupied Kashmir’s constitutional status and laws dealing with religious conversion.
India rejects accusations of systematic discrimination and maintains that its laws and government programmes are applied for the benefit of the wider population.
The contrasting positions have continued to generate debate internationally, particularly in the United States and among rights organisations.
