Officials of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) have called on the US government to impose sanctions on members of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) accused of religious freedom violations and to avoid giving its leaders high-level diplomatic courtesies.
The remarks come ahead of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s reported visit to the United States, where he is scheduled to attend the Universal Oneness Celebrations organised by American Hindus for Engagement and Dialogue (AHEAD) in New York on August 29.
USCIRF Chair Asif Mahmood said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a member of the RSS and described the organisation as an umbrella group whose affiliated organisations have been accused of attacks against religious minorities.
“India’s PM Modi is a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), an Indian umbrella organisation whose sub-groups have perpetrated attacks on religious minorities, incl. Christians & Muslims,” Mahmood said in a post shared by USCIRF on X.
He added that the upcoming visit by Bhagwat had brought renewed attention to the organisation.
‘Do Not Honour RSS Leaders With High-Level Meetings’
USCIRF Commissioner Gene Mills said the US government should not provide special diplomatic treatment to RSS leaders.
“Instead, the USG (US Government) should focus on imposing sanctions on RSS members found responsible for FoRB (freedom of religious belief) violations,” Mills said.
He also argued that RSS leaders should not receive high-level meetings or diplomatic courtesies even when they are associated with the Indian government.
The comments were shared by USCIRF on its official X account.
Hindu Rights Group Criticises Bhagwat Visit
The advocacy group Hindus for Human Rights also criticised Bhagwat’s planned visit, linking it to allegations of violence against religious minorities by organisations within the wider RSS network.
“A celebration of ‘oneness’ cannot conceal the politics of religious supremacy,” the group said in a post on X.
India Has Rejected USCIRF Criticism
The latest comments come months after USCIRF’s annual report criticised India over alleged violations of religious freedom and recommended targeted sanctions against individuals and organisations, including the RSS and Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).
The Indian government has rejected USCIRF’s assessments.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in March that the commission had repeatedly presented a “distorted and selective” picture of India based on what he described as “questionable sources and ideological narratives”.
Jaiswal also accused USCIRF of ignoring alleged attacks and vandalism targeting Hindu temples in the United States.
He said the commission should address “disturbing incidents of vandalism and attacks on Hindu temples in the US, selective targeting of India, and growing intolerance and intimidation of members of the Indian diaspora in the US”.
