RSS Chief’s Planned US Visit Draws Opposition From US Religious Freedom Panel

India-West News Desk

WASHINGTON, DC – The planned US visit of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat later this month has drawn opposition from the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), which has called for sanctions against RSS members found responsible for violations of religious freedom.

USCIRF member Gene Mills said RSS leaders should not be given high-level meetings or diplomatic courtesies, including when they are affiliated with the Indian government.

“RSS leaders, even when affiliated with the Indian government, should not be honored with high-level meetings or diplomatic courtesies. Instead, the USG should focus on imposing sanctions on RSS members found responsible for FoRB (Freedom of Religious Belief) violations,” Mills said.

USCIRF Chair Asif Mahmood also referred to Bhagwat’s planned visit in a statement posted on X. He pointed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s membership in the RSS and alleged that groups affiliated with the organization have perpetrated attacks on religious minorities, including Christians and Muslims.

“India’s PM Modi is a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), an Indian umbrella organization whose sub-groups have perpetrated attacks on religious minorities, incl. Christians & Muslims. Now the RSS leader, Mohan Bhagwat, plans to visit the US,” Mahmood said.

The latest comments come after USCIRF earlier this year recommended targeted sanctions against the RSS and India’s external intelligence agency. The commission also called on the US government to take religious freedom into account while framing its security assistance and bilateral trade policies towards India.

It further recommended that India be designated a “country of particular concern.”

The recommendations, however, are not binding on the US government and have not, so far, played a significant role in the broader bilateral relationship.

USCIRF is an agency of the American legislative branch that was created in 1998. Its members are appointed by the US President and top lawmakers, while the organization says it functions independently of the US government.

The Ministry of External Affairs has not yet formally responded to USCIRF’s latest comments. India has, however, strongly rejected the commission’s findings in the past.