US Religious Freedom Commission Urges Sanctions on RSS Ahead of Chief Mohan Bhagwat’s Visit
NEW YORK – August 20, 2026 – The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has publicly expressed strong opposition to a scheduled visit to the United States by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat later this month in New York. The bipartisan federal commission has gone further, urging the US government to impose sanctions on RSS members deemed responsible for violations of religious freedoms.
The controversy erupted following a statement released on X by USCIRF members, specifically calling for sanctions against individuals within the RSS. Asif Mahmood, the chair of USCIRF, highlighted the organization’s concerns. "India’s PM Modi is a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), an Indian umbrella organization whose sub-groups have perpetrated attacks on religious minorities, incl. Christians & Muslims. Now the RSS leader, Mohan Bhagwat, plans to visit the US," Mahmood stated.
USCIRF, an agency of the American legislative branch established in 1998, functions independently despite its members being appointed by the President and top lawmakers. Its mandate is to monitor and report on religious freedom abroad.
Gene Mills, another USCIRF member, reiterated the commission’s stance. "RSS leaders, even when affiliated with the Indian government, should not be honored with high-level meetings or diplomatic courtesies. Instead, the USG should focus on imposing sanctions on RSS members found responsible for FoRB (Freedom of Religious Belief) violations," Mills asserted.
This is not the first time USCIRF has targeted the RSS and India’s religious freedom record. Earlier this year, the commission caused a stir by recommending the use of targeted sanctions against India’s external intelligence agency and the RSS. It also advocated for linking US security assistance and bilateral trade policies with India to the country’s religious freedom record, and even suggested designating India as a "country of particular concern."
It is important to note that these recommendations from USCIRF are not binding on the United States government and, thus far, have not significantly impacted the bilateral relationship between the two nations.
India’s Stance: "Misrepresentation" and "Deliberate Agenda"
While India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has yet to issue a formal response to USCIRF’s latest statements, it has historically and firmly repudiated the commission’s findings.
In 2025, in response to USCIRF’s annual report, India’s foreign ministry stated, "The USCIRF’s persistent attempts to misrepresent isolated incidents and cast aspersions on India’s vibrant multicultural society reflect a deliberate agenda rather than a genuine concern for religious freedom."
The MEA further emphasized India’s pluralistic nature, stating, "India is home to 1.4 billion people who are adherents to all religions known to mankind. However, we have no expectation that the USCIRF will engage with the reality of India’s pluralistic framework or acknowledge the harmonious coexistence of its diverse communities. Such efforts to undermine India’s standing as a beacon of democracy and tolerance will not succeed. In fact, it is the USCIRF that should be designated as an entity of concern."
As Mohan Bhagwat’s visit approaches, the spotlight remains on the potential diplomatic ramifications and the ongoing debate surrounding religious freedom in India, a core issue consistently raised by the USCIRF.
