A panel of the US government has expressed concerns about a trip to the United States by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat, and urged specific sanctions on individuals involved in the Hindu nationalist group.
Bhagwat is on a visit to the US and will be speaking in NYC Saturday.
The RSS is seen as the ideological father of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which was born out of the organization’s broader political movement.
Asif Mahmood, chairman of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), called on the US government to take steps against Indian authorities and RSS members who are believed to be responsible for committing religious freedom violations.
He also called for Bhagwat’s US visa to be revoked.
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USCIRF is a bipartisan US government organisation for monitoring religious freedom around the world and for providing policy recommendations (which are not binding).
Previously, the US government did not impose sanctions after USCIRF made similar recommendations concerning India.
India’s foreign ministry has denied the allegations of the USCIRF, charging the commission with being biased against the country.
The RSS also rejects accusations of being intolerant, claiming to be a civilisational and cultural movement that aims to bring Hindus together and foster the development of India.
Religious communities and United Nations agencies have voiced their concerns about religious minorities in India.
They have pointed out the increase in hate speech, the citizenship law based on religion, the demolition of Muslim-owned property, and the alteration of the constitutional status of Muslim-majority Kashmir.
The BJP-led government in India claims that it is not discriminating against minorities and that its policies, such as welfare and electrification initiatives, are benefiting citizens of all religious backgrounds.
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