US Religious Freedom Commission (USCIRF) demands ban on RSS, politics heated up before Mohan Bhagwat’s US tour

A new controversy has arisen at the international level regarding India’s Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The US Commission on Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has demanded from the US government that RSS be banned and its leaders should not be given any kind of diplomatic honors or high-level meetings. This sharp statement of the Commission has come just a few days before the possible visit of Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat to America, after which the stir in the political circles has intensified.

Statements by the President and Commissioner of USCIRF

US Religious Freedom Commission Chairman Asif Mahmood claimed in a statement that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a member of the RSS and religious minorities have been targeted by its affiliates. On this basis, Commission Commissioner Jean Mills has also appealed to the US administration that options to ban RSS members responsible for alleged violation of religious freedom should be considered.

What is Mohan Bhagwat’s foreign tour programme?

Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat upcoming 25 August Will be going on an important tour of America, Canada and Britain. According to the schedule, he 29 August Will participate as the chief guest in the ‘Universal Oneness Celebrations’ event organized by ‘American Hindus for Engagement and Dialogue’ (AHEAD) in New York. A lot of enthusiasm is being seen among the Indian expatriates living abroad and various organizations regarding his visit.

More than 100 organizations in Canada supported

On the other hand, support for this visit of the RSS chief has also started at the international level. More than 100 major organizations and groups in Canada have openly supported Mohan Bhagwat’s proposed visit. These organizations have written a formal letter to the Prime Minister of Canada and the concerned ministers, appealing to reject the elements demanding to stop his visit. Advocacy groups say there must be solid, independent and impartial evidence and established legal procedures must be followed before any action is taken against any celebrity.