US Religious Freedom Panel Calls for Visa Revocation for RSS Leader Mohan Bhagwat

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has urged the Trump administration to revoke the visa of Mohan Bhagwat, the chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), who recently arrived in the United States. Bhagwat is in the country to participate in the RSS’s global outreach program marking its centenary year, with a notable address scheduled for approximately 5,000 Hindu Americans and non-resident Indians at Madison Square Garden this Saturday.

The USCIRF expressed its concerns regarding Bhagwat’s visit, citing allegations that RSS-affiliated groups have been involved in violent acts against religious minorities in India, including Christians, Dalits, Muslims, and Sikhs. The commission pointed out that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)—the political arm of the RSS—has implemented policies that are closely aligned with the RSS’s Hindutva ideology, which they argue discriminates against various religious communities.

This isn’t the first time the USCIRF has made such a demand. The commission had previously called for sanctions against the RSS in August, highlighting concerns that members of the organization should not be afforded high-level diplomatic engagements within the United States. The USCIRF’s stance reflects ongoing tensions regarding India’s treatment of its religious minorities, particularly in light of recent incidents that have raised questions about religious freedom in the country.

In response to the USCIRF’s comments, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs has dismissed the claims of bias, asserting that the commission lacks credibility and fails to represent the realities on the ground in India. Randhir Jaiswal, the ministry’s spokesperson, reiterated that India respects the rights of all its citizens, regardless of their religious beliefs.

The RSS, which plays a substantial role in shaping the ideological landscape of the BJP, has been a pivotal figure in India’s socio-political narrative. As Bhagwat prepares to address a significant gathering of diaspora Hindus, the implications of the USCIRF’s demands on his visit may resonate beyond the event itself, further inflaming discussions about India’s approach to religious freedom and minority rights.

Source: scroll.in