US Panel Urges Revocation of RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat's Visa Amid Concerns Over Religious Freedom

New Delhi, India Aug 29, 2026 ALN: A United States panel on religious freedom has urged the Donald Trump administration to revoke the visa issued to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat, declaring him ineligible for future entry into the country. This request comes as Bhagwat arrived in the US to participate in the RSS’ centenary-year global outreach program, which includes a scheduled address to approximately 5,000 Hindu Americans and non-resident Indians at Madison Square Garden on Saturday.

The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) expressed deep concern regarding Bhagwat’s visit, alleging that groups associated with the RSS have perpetrated violent attacks against various religious minorities, including Christians, Dalits, Muslims, and Sikhs, in recent years. The commission highlighted that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has enforced policies that align closely with the RSS’ Hindutva ideology, which they argue discriminates against religious minority communities. This ideology is rooted in a vision of India as a Hindu nation, which has raised alarms among various human rights organizations and minority rights advocates.

The USCIRF reiterated its call for the US government to impose sanctions on the RSS, a demand it had previously made on August 19. It emphasized that members of the RSS should not be granted high-level meetings or diplomatic courtesies in the US. These recommendations reflect a broader concern about the implications of the RSS's activities not only within India but also in the context of its diaspora and the international community.

In response to these allegations, India’s Ministry of External Affairs dismissed the commission's remarks as biased and lacking credibility. Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that the US panel has a history of making misleading and provocative statements about India. He urged that the US should distance itself from such organizations, which he claimed have their own agenda and lack credibility. This response underscores the ongoing tensions between India and various international bodies regarding the assessment of religious freedom and human rights.

The US Commission on International Religious Freedom is an independent American government agency that monitors the universal right to freedom of religion and makes policy suggestions to the White House, although these suggestions are not binding. The commission's role is to provide an objective assessment of religious freedom conditions worldwide, and its recommendations can influence US foreign policy, particularly in relation to countries where religious freedom is under threat.

Cece Heil, the commission’s vice-chair, stated on Wednesday that the US government has an opportunity to hold India accountable and to signal that the United States stands for religious freedom for the people of India. She warned that without accountability, the situation regarding religious freedom in India could further deteriorate, as vigilante mobs continue to attack religious minorities and their places of worship under the guise of enforcing anti-conversion laws and other harmful policies. This highlights a growing concern that the rise of majoritarian politics in India could lead to increased violence and discrimination against minority communities.

In its annual report released in March, the commission recommended that the US government designate India as a “country of particular concern” due to systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom. This marks the seventh time the commission has made such a recommendation, indicating a persistent and alarming trend regarding the treatment of religious minorities in India and the increasing pressure on organizations and individuals advocating for their rights.

Concerns regarding Bhagwat’s upcoming visit have also been raised in Canada. On August 7, two Canadian MPs urged Ottawa to ban the RSS and prevent Bhagwat from entering the country, citing his history of hate speech and advocacy of violence against religious minorities. They warned that his visit could potentially lead to social disorder. This reflects a growing trend among Western nations to scrutinize the activities and rhetoric of foreign leaders and organizations that may incite division or violence within their own borders.

In light of these developments, the international community continues to monitor the implications of Bhagwat's visit and the broader issues of religious freedom in India. The situation poses significant questions about how countries balance diplomatic relations with human rights considerations, particularly in cases where the actions of foreign leaders may conflict with the values espoused by democratic nations. The outcome of Bhagwat's visit, as well as the responses from both the US and Canada, could set important precedents for how religious freedom and minority rights are approached in the context of international diplomacy.

As the RSS prepares for its centenary celebrations, the discourse surrounding its ideology and actions will likely intensify. The organization's influence in Indian politics, particularly through the BJP, raises questions about the future trajectory of religious freedom in India and how it will be perceived on the global stage. Observers will be closely watching how the US and other nations respond to these challenges, as they navigate the complexities of international relations and human rights advocacy.