Officials from the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) have urged the US government to impose sanctions on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The call for action comes in light of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s upcoming visit to the United States for the ‘Universal Oneness Celebrations’. This event, organised by American Hindus for Engagement and Dialogue, is set to take place in New York on August 29.

USCIRF Chair Asif Mahmood made statements highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s affiliation with the RSS, which he characterised as an umbrella organisation that has allegedly overseen violent acts against religious minorities. Mahmood stated that such actions warrant serious concern, especially in the context of high-level diplomatic meetings involving RSS officials.

Commissioner Gene Mills stressed that individuals associated with the RSS, regardless of their ties to the Indian government, should not receive diplomatic courtesies or engagements. Instead, Mills advocated for imposing sanctions on those individuals whom the US government finds responsible for violations of freedom of religious belief (FoRB).

Concerns Raised Over Bhagwat’s Upcoming Visit

In addition to the USCIRF’s concerns, advocacy group Hindus for Human Rights also spoke out against Bhagwat’s impending trip. They asserted that the visit cannot be divorced from the broader context of RSS-related violence against religious minorities, particularly Muslims and Christians. The group expressed that a celebration of ‘oneness’ may not adequately cover the underlying issues of religious supremacy and conflicts in India.

Mahmood’s comments regarding Bhagwat were disseminated through his post on X, where he emphasised the relationship between Prime Minister Modi and the RSS. He pointed out that, given the allegations of attacks on minority communities, the US should reconsider its diplomatic stance towards officials associated with the RSS.

Earlier this year, in March, the USCIRF released its annual report which took a critical view of India’s record on religious freedom. The report suggested targeted sanctions on entities implicated in these violations, including the RSS and the Research and Analysis Wing. India rejected the allegations presented in the report, asserting that the USCIRF often provides a “distorted and selective” representation of the nation.

India’s Response to USCIRF Criticism

The Indian government has consistently disputed the findings of the USCIRF. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, in a statement released on March 16, scrutinised what he called the USCIRF’s selective criticisms of India. He urged the commission to reflect on various incidents of vandalism against Hindu temples in the US, as well as the increasing intolerance faced by members of the Indian diaspora in the United States.

Jaiswal’s comments came as part of a broader rebuttal to USCIRF’s annual report, which he claimed did not provide an accurate view of the situation related to religious freedom in India. The spokesperson highlighted the need for the USCIRF to acknowledge the complexities of the Indian context rather than focus on what he termed selective targeting.

As Bhagwat’s visit draws near, the situation remains fraught with tensions over allegations of religious discrimination, making it a focal point in US-India relations. The USCIRF’s travel advisory adds another layer of scrutiny to interactions between governments and organisations that influence international diplomacy.

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