Mohan Bhagwat’s New York visit: US religious freedom body pushes sanctions on RSS, urges no high-level meetings

The United States advisory body on religious freedom, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), has urged sanctions against the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and called for no high-level meetings with its leaders during their upcoming visit to the US. USCIRF Chair Asif Mahmood stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a member of the RSS, and its sub-groups have been responsible for attacks on religious minorities, including Christians and Muslims.

The RSS is the ideological foundation of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). USCIRF Commissioner Gene Mills emphasized that RSS leaders, even if affiliated with the Indian government, should not be honored with high-level meetings or diplomatic courtesies. Instead, the US government should focus on imposing sanctions on RSS members found responsible for freedom of religious belief violations.

The visit of RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat to the US, Canada, and the UK, from August 25, coincides with the RSS's centenary year and involves interactions with the Indian diaspora and local organizations.