RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat faces US opposition and legal scrutiny in India

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat is facing significant opposition during a global outreach tour. In the United States, more than 1,000 Americans have called for the revocation of Bhagwat’s visa, and various diaspora organizations have campaigned to alert policymakers to the group’s controversial history. The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) previously recommended sanctions against the RSS, including freezing US-based assets and barring responsible individuals from entering the country.

In India, Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge has escalated a dispute regarding the RSS’s legal status. Kharge argued that because the RSS lacks formal registration as a legal entity, it operates with “influence without accountability.” He challenged the organization to register itself and disclose its assets, funding, and liabilities, noting that legal cases are typically filed against individuals rather than the organization itself. The BJP has countered these claims, citing official documentation that recorded zero untoward incidents involving the RSS in Karnataka.