NEW DELHI: India’s Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has stepped up international efforts to counter criticism over its treatment of minority communities. The influential Hindu organisation, closely linked to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP, actively organises foreign visits to address negative perceptions.
Global engagements to clear misconceptions
RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale recently addressed audiences in the United States, Germany, and Britain. He plans more trips to Europe, Southeast Asia, and other regions. During these visits, Hosabale meets academics, policymakers, and business leaders to present the RSS as a cultural and civilisational movement rather than a paramilitary group.
Moreover, Hosabale held a rare briefing for foreign media in Delhi on Tuesday. He directly challenged accusations that the RSS pulls society backwards, promotes Hindu supremacy, or treats minorities as second-class citizens. “The fact is entirely different,” he asserted. The outreach follows a critical report by the US Commission on International Religious Freedom that highlighted alleged violence and intolerance against minorities.
Focus on unity and development goals
The RSS, founded in 1925, claims its mission involves uniting Hindus and guiding the nation toward greater glory. It has faced several bans in the past, including after the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. Opposition leaders like Rahul Gandhi often accuse the group of pushing a divisive agenda that threatens India’s secular character.
Hosabale emphasised the organisation’s commitment to ending caste discrimination as a key remaining goal. Meanwhile, Modi has already fulfilled major RSS objectives, such as constructing the Ram Temple and revoking the special status of Jammu and Kashmir.
This renewed diplomatic push comes as the RSS seeks to improve its global image. Critics, however, continue to question its role in fostering majoritarianism. The group’s vast network of volunteers remains central to the BJP’s political strength across India.
