HinduPACT, a US-based advocacy organisation, has officially condemned the public opposition from the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) regarding the visit of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat to New York. This condemnation came on Friday and follows statements made by key USCIRF members, including chair Asif Mahmood and Commissioner Gene Mills, who have expressed their disapproval of Bhagwat’s trip. They have also urged the US government to consider imposing sanctions on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

In a statement, Ajay Shah, the founder and chair of HinduPACT, accused USCIRF of overstepping its mandate and supporting what he called an anti-Hindu narrative. Shah’s comments came in response to the criticism levied against Bhagwat and highlighted his belief that the commission is misrepresenting its purpose by engaging in discussions regarding Hinduism and the RSS.

“USCIRF has disgraced its mandate,” Shah stated. He claimed that the USCIRF chair’s comments about India and the RSS reflect a bias rather than the impartiality expected from an American commission dedicated to pluralism. He argued that the opposition to Bhagwat’s visit is not representative of all Americans.

Various Groups Oppose the Visit

The backlash against Bhagwat’s visit includes opposition from organisations such as the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Hindus for Human Rights (HfHR), and the Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC). Shah contended that these groups have a history of portraying Hindu self-assertion as extremist behaviour and have attempted to delegitimise prominent Hindu leaders.

Shah explicitly referred to Bhagwat as the leader of an influential Hindu organisation, asserting that he should not face disparagement perpetuated by groups that have historically challenged Hindu identity and beliefs. He stressed that alleging extremism undermines the contributions of the RSS within society.

According to Shah, the RSS has dedicated decades to community service efforts, focusing on relief work, education, and social upliftment. He maintains that such a positive legacy cannot be tarnished by so-called “hostile talking points” aimed at discrediting the organisation.

Reactions and Statements from HinduPACT

In its official response, HinduPACT firmly rejected the USCIRF’s stance, asserting that the attempt to delegitimise Bhagwat’s visit is unwarranted. The group called upon elected officials, community leaders, and all fair-minded Americans to reject what it sees as sectarian lobbying disguised as human rights advocacy.

HinduPACT articulated its stance by emphasising that Hindu civilisation does not require permission to assert its identity or to stand tall. The organisation’s statement summarised their viewpoint on the ongoing opposition to the visit while also outlining their criticisms of USCIRF and other groups involved.

The remarks made by HinduPACT illustrate the ongoing tensions regarding religious freedom and representation within the US context. The group seeks to highlight its commitment to preserving and promoting Hindu identity and voices amid the wider discourse on human rights.

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