The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) criticised the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) over its latest remarks targeting the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), describing the commission as “biased” and lacking credibility.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, speaking at a media briefing, said USCIRF had repeatedly made what India considers incorrect and provocative statements about the country, and that such remarks should be ignored.
“We all know this is a biased institution. For years, it has made incorrect and provocative statements about India. We should ignore such institutions, as they have their own agendas and lack credibility,” Jaiswal said.
The MEA’s response came after USCIRF officials called for sanctions against the RSS and urged the US government not to extend high-level diplomatic courtesies or hold meetings with its leaders.
The development comes ahead of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s scheduled visit to the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom from August 25.
Bhagwat is expected to travel to the three countries at the invitation of local associations and organisations linked to the Indian diaspora.
The visit comes during the RSS’s centenary year, with Bhagwat expected to interact with members of the diaspora as well as representatives of local organisations.
RSS Prachar Pramukh Sunil Ambekar also confirmed the visit in a post on X.
“Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (RSS) Sarsanghachalak (Chief) Dr Mohan Bhagwat will be visiting the USA, Canada and the UK from 25th Aug 2026 on the invitation from overseas local associations and organisations. This coincides with the occasion of the ongoing Centenary year of RSS,” the post said.
The latest exchange follows USCIRF’s annual report released in March, in which the commission criticised India over alleged violations of religious freedom and backed targeted sanctions against individuals and entities, including the RSS and the Research and Analysis Wing.
India had strongly rejected the report at the time, calling it a “distorted and selective” portrayal of the country based on what it described as “questionable sources and ideological narratives”.
In a statement issued on March 16, Jaiswal had also criticised what he called USCIRF’s “selective criticism” of India.
He urged the commission to examine alleged incidents of vandalism and attacks on Hindu temples in the US, as well as instances of intolerance and intimidation faced by members of the Indian diaspora.
(with ANI inputs)
