India Dismisses US Panel’s RSS Sanctions Demand, Questions Its Motives And Agenda

India on Friday criticised the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) after the US body called for sanctions against the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The Ministry of External Affairs described USCIRF as a “biased organisation” and rejected its assessment of India’s religious and social environment, saying the commission lacked credibility and had its own agenda. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal accused USCIRF of making what he described as “disparaging and inflammatory remarks” about India. Responding to questions about the commission’s call for action against the RSS, Jaiswal said India did not expect the organisation to properly engage with the country’s pluralistic framework or recognise what he described as the harmonious coexistence of its diverse communities.

“It is a biased organisation,” Jaiswal said, adding that India should keep away from such organisations because they have “their own agenda” and lack credibility. His remarks represented the government’s latest criticism of USCIRF, a US government-linked body that monitors religious freedom globally and makes recommendations to the American administration and Congress on countries where it believes religious freedom is under threat. The controversy follows comments by USCIRF chair Asif Mahmood concerning an upcoming visit to the United States by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. Bhagwat is scheduled to visit New York on August 29.

Mahmood has opposed the visit and called on the US government to impose sanctions on the RSS, as well as refrain from extending diplomatic courtesies to its leaders. USCIRF has described the RSS as an “umbrella organisation” and alleged that groups associated with it have been involved in attacks against religious minorities. Its position reflects the commission’s broader concerns about religious freedom and the treatment of minority communities in India. The Indian government, however, has consistently rejected such assessments and criticised foreign organisations for commenting on domestic issues and India’s internal social and political affairs.

Also Read: US Organisation Calls For RSS Sanctions Before Mohan Bhagwat’s Upcoming New York Visit

The RSS, a Hindu nationalist organisation founded in 1925, is one of the most influential organisations within India’s broader Hindu nationalist movement. It has a large network of affiliated groups working across areas including social service, education, culture and politics. The organisation has faced criticism from opponents over its ideological positions and alleged links to incidents involving religious tensions, while its supporters describe it as a cultural and social organisation focused on national service and community activities. The latest disagreement comes ahead of Bhagwat’s proposed US visit and adds a diplomatic dimension to the debate over the RSS and religious freedom in India.

USCIRF's recommendations do not themselves impose US government sanctions, but they can contribute to discussions within Washington about policy toward countries and organisations accused of religious-freedom violations. Any decision on sanctions or diplomatic measures would ultimately rest with the relevant US authorities. Jaiswal's comments indicate that New Delhi has rejected USCIRF’s characterisation of conditions in India and does not accept the commission as a credible authority on the country’s pluralistic society. The dispute is likely to remain in focus as Bhagwat’s scheduled New York visit approaches, with the positions of the Indian government and USCIRF sharply opposed over the RSS, religious freedom and the role of foreign institutions in assessing developments within India.

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