US political leaders pledge to reject RSS-linked donations

Approximately 90 political leaders from both Democratic and Republican parties in the United States have signed a pledge to reject political donations linked to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its affiliates.

Announced by the organizations Hindus for Human Rights Action and SACRED Act, the “Nonviolence Pledge” was issued following a visit to New York by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. The pledge outlines three specific commitments for elected officials and candidates: rejecting political violence and intimidation, refusing donations linked to the RSS, and returning or redirecting such contributions to pro-democracy organizations.

Advocates described the move as a historic rebuke to the RSS’s representation of South Asian and Hindu American communities, aiming to ensure that American democracy is not influenced by extremist agendas.