Washington, 23 August : The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has urged Washington to avoid high-level meetings and diplomatic courtesies with leaders of India’s Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), while recommending sanctions against members of the organisation over alleged violations of religious freedom.
USCIRF Commissioner Johnnie Mills said the United States should not provide high-level access or diplomatic recognition to RSS leaders, particularly those linked to the Indian government. Instead, he called on Washington to consider sanctions against RSS members accused of involvement in religious freedom violations.
USCIRF Chair Asif Mahmood also criticised the RSS in a post on X, alleging that groups affiliated with the organisation have been involved in attacks against religious minorities.
The commission has previously raised concerns over the state of religious freedom in India. In its annual report released in March, USCIRF recommended sanctions against several individuals and organisations in India, including the RSS and the country’s intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).
The commission also recommended that India be designated a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged religious freedom violations and that individuals responsible for such violations face targeted measures.
New Delhi has rejected the commission’s recent statements. Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal has described USCIRF as a biased organisation.
The RSS is one of India’s most influential Hindu nationalist organisations, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has had a longstanding association with the group.
The latest dispute could add another layer of tension to India-US relations, particularly in discussions involving human rights, religious freedom and the political influence of the RSS.
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