India’s Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its affiliates are facing renewed scrutiny in the United States after two newly elected US senators, Abdul El-Sayed of Michigan and Juliana Stratton of Illinois, emerged among the signatories of a pledge rejecting political donations linked to the organisation and its affiliates.
The development has drawn attention to growing political opposition to the RSS network in American political circles, particularly over concerns raised by advocacy groups about its influence and activities.
Abdul El-Sayed, who won Michigan’s US Senate seat, and Juliana Stratton, elected from Illinois, had both signed the Nonviolence Pledge, which commits politicians to reject campaign contributions from individuals and organisations linked to the RSS and its affiliates.
The pledge was launched by Hindus for Human Rights Action and SACRED Acts in August 2026 and attracted the support of nearly 90 American politicians, including lawmakers, candidates and elected officials across several states.
Under the commitment, signatories also agreed to reject political violence and intimidation and return or redirect previously received contributions linked to the RSS towards organisations supporting democracy.
The pledge has brought renewed attention to the organisation’s political influence in the United States and its network of affiliated organisations.
The development comes amid separate calls for stronger action against the RSS. The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has previously recommended that the Trump administration consider sanctions against RSS members and restrictions on their entry into the United States over concerns about religious freedom violations.
