US Religious Freedom Body Seeks Sanctions Against RSS

The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), a federal body, has called for sanctions against the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and urged the US government not to extend high-level meetings or diplomatic courtesies to its leaders.

This call comes weeks before RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's planned visit to the United States on August 29 for "Universal Oneness Celebrations" in New York. USCIRF chairperson Asif Mahmood stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a member of the RSS, which he described as an umbrella organization whose subgroups have perpetrated attacks on religious minorities, including Christians and Muslims.

USCIRF Commissioner Gene Mills added that the US government should focus on imposing sanctions on RSS members found responsible for "FoRB (freedom of religious belief) violations." Asif Mahmood, a Pakistan-born American citizen, heads the USCIRF and has maintained close ties with Pakistan's political and diplomatic leadership, and has lobbied for Kashmir. Under his leadership, the USCIRF has repeatedly accused India of persecuting religious minorities.

In March, India rejected USCIRF's annual report that criticized the country for alleged violations of religious freedom. Over 100 Canadian organizations and civil liberties groups have written to Prime Minister Mark Carney in support of Dr. Mohan Bhagwat’s proposed visit to Canada, describing the RSS as an organization known for community service.