Mohan Bhagwat's US Visit: US Group Opposes Visit, Seeks RSS Sanctions

Mohan Bhagwat's US Visit: The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has criticised the RSS chief's upcoming visit to New York, scheduled for later this month.

USCIRF sanctions on RSS: In a statement on X, USCIRF members said the US government should focus on sanctioning RSS members found to have violated religious freedom.

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Mohan Bhagwat's US Visit: USCIRF Urges US to Restrict RSS Leaders Over Religious Freedom

PM Modi RSS Connection: USCIRF chair Asif Mahmood said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which has affiliated groups accused of attacking religious minorities, including Christians and Muslims.

He also noted that RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat plans to visit the US.

USCIRF member Gene Mills said RSS leaders, including those linked to the Indian government, should not receive high-level meetings or diplomatic honours.

He urged the US government to prioritise sanctions against RSS members found responsible for violating Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB).

Mohan Bhagwat Latest News: US Panel Urges CPC Tag for India; Bilateral Ties Remain Unscathed

Mohan Bhagwat's US Visit: Earlier this year, the agency made headlines by recommending targeted sanctions against India’s external intelligence agency and the RSS.

It also suggested that the US government connect security assistance and trade policies with India to its record on religious freedom, and recommended labelling India as a “country of particular concern”.

These recommendations are not binding on the US government and so far have not had a major effect on US-India relations.

MEA Previously Termed it a “Misrepresentation’’

Mohan Bhagwat's US Visit: India’s Ministry of External Affairs has not officially responded to USCIRF’s latest comments. In the past, though, it has strongly rejected the commission’s findings.

In 2025, after the agency released its annual report, the Ministry of External Affairs said USCIRF often misrepresented isolated incidents in India and criticised the country’s multicultural society.

The ministry added that these actions appeared to reflect a deliberate agenda rather than genuine concern for religious freedom.

The ministry also pointed out that India’s 1.4 billion people follow all major religions and said the country’s diversity shows that different communities live together peacefully.

It accused USCIRF of trying to damage India’s reputation as a tolerant democracy and said these efforts would not work. The ministry suggested that USCIRF should be seen as an entity of concern.

Mohan Bhagwat Canada Visit: 100 Groups Stand by RSS Chief, Urge Ottawa to Allow It

More than 100 Canadian organisations and civil liberties groups have written to Prime Minister Mark Carney and senior federal ministers in support of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s planned visit to Canada.

They urged the government to base any decision on his entry on credible evidence, established law and due process rather than political pressure.

The letter was addressed to Carney, Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree, Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab and Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand.

Meanwhile, NDP MPs Jenny Kwan and Heather McPherson, along with other groups, have called for Bhagwat to be barred from entering Canada and declared inadmissible.

Over 1 Million Canadian Hindus Back RSS Leader’s Right to Visit

The signatories said Bhagwat’s visit is significant for Canada’s Hindu community, which includes more than one million people of Hindu heritage.

They described the RSS as a major Indian organisation involved in community service, social programmes and cultural activities.

The groups strongly opposed attempts to block Bhagwat’s entry, arguing that allegations against him must be backed by credible, independently verified evidence.

They questioned claims that Bhagwat has promoted hate speech, supported violence against religious minorities, engaged in intimidation or maintained links with criminal or listed terrorist organisations.

Canadian Authorities Urged to Substantiate Security Claims

The letter urged Canadian authorities to provide evidence supporting such allegations and said any credible evidence should be examined through appropriate legal channels.

The organisations also rejected claims that Bhagwat’s visit could cause social disorder or threaten public safety.

They asked authorities to identify previous incidents in Canada involving Bhagwat or the RSS and provide evidence that his visit would create a security risk.

They argued that immigration and public safety decisions should be based on law and evidence rather than speculation or political rhetoric.

"Treat Us Equal": Canadian Hindu Groups Raise Concerns Over Bias and Security

According to the groups, excluding Bhagwat without sufficient evidence could also affect Canada’s Hindu community and create a perception of unequal treatment.

The letter emphasised multiculturalism, religious freedom, freedom of expression, peaceful association and equality before the law.

It said Canadian Hindus, like all Canadians, deserve dignity, security and equal treatment.

Over 100 Organisations Press Ottawa to Balance Security with Religious Freedom

More than 100 organisations backed the appeal, including

The Canada India Foundation
Canada India Global Forum
Canadian Arya Samaj
Brampton Hindu Society
Hindu Society of Canada
Hindu Mission of Canada
Hindu Sabha Temple
Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh
VHP Canada, along with temples and cultural associations

The letter concluded by urging Ottawa to choose dialogue over division, evidence over allegations and due process over political pressure.

It framed Bhagwat’s proposed visit as a broader test of Canada’s ability to balance public safety with religious freedom, multiculturalism and equal treatment.

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