RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat addresses religious identity in US amid international scrutiny

RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat addressed questions regarding the status of Muslims in India during a visit to New York. He stated that Hindutva does not seek to exclude any community and argued that anyone who believes Muslims should not exist in India cannot truly call themselves a Hindu. Bhagwat emphasized that different religious paths can lead to the same goal and that every individual possesses inherent dignity.

These comments come amid international scrutiny of human rights in India. The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) has expressed grave concern regarding reports of large-scale violations against vulnerable populations, including Muslims, Christians, and various indigenous and tribal groups.

Additionally, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has taken a strong stance against Bhagwat’s visit. The USCIRF has called for targeted sanctions against RSS members and Indian officials accused of complicity in religious freedom violations, including the potential revocation of the RSS leader’s visa.