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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline SEPTEMBER 11, 2026 | The Indian Eye 22

IOC USA opposes RSS’ Growing

Clout in the United States

OUR BUREAU
New York, NY
he Indian Overseas Congress,
USA (IOCUSA) has expressed
Tconcern over the American tour
of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and the
growing effort to present the Rashtriya
Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to Amer-
ican audiences as a benign cultural
organization promoting “universal
oneness” and civilizational dialogue.
The American public, particu-
larly political, business, religious and
civic leaders who may interact with
RSS representatives, deserves to un-
derstand the history, ideology and po-
litical consequences associated with
the organization, IOC USA said in a
statement.
The ideological history of the
RSS and important figures in the
Hindutva movement also deserves
serious examination, IOC USA said.
“Writings associated with early Hin- RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat addresses at ‘One World One Humanity’ event, in New York on (One World One Humanity/ ANI Video Grab)
dutva ideologues contained deeply
troubling discussions in praise of Eu- United States as enjoying the free- George Abraham, Vice-Chairman of specifically recommended that the
ropean ethnic nationalism and the doms and protections guaranteed by the Indian Overseas Congress, USA. United States impose targeted sanc-
treatment of minorities in Nazi Ger- the American constitutional system. “Dr. Ambedkar helped give India tions against individuals and entities,
many. Such history cannot simply be Many Indian Americans have proud- a Constitution founded upon liberty, including the Rashtriya Swayamsevak
erased by replacing the language of ly become citizens of this country and equality and fraternity, while Jawa- Sangh (RSS), for what the Commis-
majoritarian nationalism with con- sworn allegiance to the Constitution harlal Nehru envisioned a modern, sion described as their “responsibility
temporary slogans about harmony of the United States.. secular and pluralistic republic. Re- and tolerance of severe violations of
and universal brotherhood.” “Indian Americans have pros- placing that vision with religious ma- religious freedom.” USCIRF recom-
The consequences are not simply pered because America, despite its joritarianism would radically change mended measures that could include
theoretical. Human-rights organiza- faults and continuing struggles, has the character of the Indian Republic.” freezing U.S.-based assets and/or bar-
tions, religious-freedom monitors, sought to build a society where a per- Mr. Abraham also warned of the ring responsible individuals or entities
journalists and civil-society groups son’s opportunities and citizenship danger of importing India’s ideological from entering the United States, IOC
have repeatedly raised concerns are not determined by whether he conflicts into their adopted homeland. USA said.
about discrimination, hate speech, or she is Hindu, Christian, Muslim, “We must not allow the politics “The future of India must re-
intimidation and violence affecting Sikh, Jewish or belongs to no religion of religious hatred to take root with- main faithful to the constitutional
Muslims, Christians and other mi- at all. We should be strengthening in our diaspora. It will divide our promise of liberty, equality, fraternity
nority communities in India. those principles and not importing temples, churches, mosques, gurd- and equal citizenship, not religious
“The RSS may speak of “oneness” sectarian conflicts that can divide In- waras, associations, neighborhoods supremacy. And the future of the In-
abroad, but genuine unity cannot be dian American communities, poison and eventually our children. What- dian American community must be
built by demanding conformity at relationships among neighbors and ever our political differences, the In- built upon the same democratic prin-
home. There is no meaningful democ- transmit religious hatred to future dian American community must not ciples that enabled our community to
racy when the worth of citizenship is generations,” it said. become an overseas battlefield for flourish in the United States. We must
measured by religious identity. There “India belongs equally to the groups aiming to polarize India along not import the politics of division into
can be no credible message of na- Hindu who worships in a temple, the religious lines.” America. We must not weaponize
tional unity when minorities live with Muslim who prays in a mosque, the The seriousness of these concerns religion. And we must never remain
fear that their faith, culture or patri- Christian who worships in a church, is highlighted by the United States silent when supremacy is repackaged
otism will constantly be questioned,” the Sikh who enters a gurdwara, and Commission on International Reli- for an American audience and given
IOC USA said in the statement. the citizen who professes no religion gious Freedom (USCIRF), the inde- the more respectable label of “univer-
The IOCUSA said it was particu- at all. That was the promise of our pendent bipartisan U.S. government sal oneness.” After all, changing the
larly troubled when some members of Constitution, and no organization has commission created by Congress to label on the bottle does not change
the Indian American community pro- the right to rewrite Indian citizenship monitor religious freedom worldwide. what is inside,” IOC USA said in its
mote majoritarian ideologies in the according to a religious test,” said In its 2026 Annual Report, USCIRF statement.

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