US religious freedom panel calls on govt to revoke RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's visa ahead of NYC event
The panel has called on the US government to consider sanctions against RSS members and Indian officials “complicit in religious freedom violation.”
The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has raised concerns over the planned visit of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat to the United States. The panel has urged the federal government to revoke his visa. Bhagwat is set to address an event in New York City on Saturday, August 29. The commission has called for sanctions against RSS members and Indian officials deemed responsible for religious freedom violations.
USCIRF Chair Dr. Asif Mahmood stated, "We urge the U.S. government to consider targeted sanctions against RSS members and Indian officials complicit in religious freedom violations, including revoking the visa issued to Mohan Bhagwat and making him ineligible for future entry into the United States." The panel highlighted the deteriorating religious freedom conditions in India, citing instances of violence against religious minority communities, particularly Muslims and Christians, as well as the enforcement of anti-conversion laws that disproportionately impact these groups.
The commission's assertions have been dismissed by the Ministry of External Affairs, which labeled USCIRF as biased against India.
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