The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday criticised the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) for urging sanctions against members of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), calling it a “biased organisation."
During a bi-weekly media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal questioned the commission’s credibility and accused it of pursuing its own agenda through its statements on India.
‘USCIRF Makes Provocative Statements About India’: Govt
“The organisation you are talking about is known to everyone as a biased organisation, and for many years, it has been making misleading and provocative statements about India," Jaiswal said.
“I would say that we should stay away from such organisations because they peddle their own agenda and, at the same time, have no credibility," the MEA official added.
The MEA’s response came days after the USCIRF called on Washington to consider sanctions against members of the RSS, instead of extending them “high-level meetings."
Why USCIRF Called For RSS Sanctions
In a post on X, the commission cited comments by its chair, Pakistani-American physician Asif Mahmood, and Commissioner Gene Mills.
Mahmood referred to the RSS, which is regarded as the ideological parent organisation of the ruling BJP, as an umbrella body and alleged that groups associated with it had been involved in attacks targeting religious minorities.
Mills argued that RSS leaders should not receive high-level meetings or diplomatic courtesies, even when they are linked to the Indian government. He instead called for sanctions against RSS members found responsible for violations of religious freedom or freedom of belief.
Mohan Bhagwat To Visit US Soon
The USCIRF remarks were issued ahead of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s planned tour of the US, Canada and the UK, which is scheduled to begin on August 25. Bhagwat is expected to undertake the visit at the invitation of local associations and organisations associated with the Indian diaspora. The visit coincides with the RSS’s centenary year, during which Bhagwat is expected to interact with members of the Indian diaspora and representatives of local organisations.
