US lawmakers Rashida Tlaib and Jim McGovern have criticised Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat’s visit to New York, objecting to the platform given to the RSS leader as they claimed that the organisation promotes discrimination and violence against religious minorities in India.
Lawmakers Condemn RSS Chief’s Ideology
Representative Rashida Tlaib criticized Mohan Bhagwat, the chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), stating that his “hateful Hindu nationalist ideology” is “not welcome” in American communities. Tlaib emphasized that the RSS, described as a paramilitary organization, has been linked to violent attacks against various religious groups, including Muslims, Sikhs, Dalits, and Christians. Meanwhile, Representative Jim McGovern called for Bhagwat to face “accountability” instead of being provided a platform for his views.
McGovern, another Democratic representative, also criticised Bhagwat’s visit. “Whenever you think of America, one word is often discussed — pluralism. When we say Bharat, another phrase is discussed — unity in diversity. “The sustaining principle that we call Dharma. Dharma is not religion. It is not worship.
Referring to comments by former US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) chairs Stephen Schneck and Nadine Maenza, McGovern said the RSS had helped make “discrimination & violence against religious minorities mainstream in India”. “Its chief, Mohan Baghwat, should face accountability—not be given a platform to foment hatred,” he said in a post on X. McGovern misspelled Bhagwat’s surname as “Baghwat” in the post. For Bharat, both unity and diversity are in its DNA,” he said. Bhagwat said people may differ in their lifestyles and material needs, but an “innate oneness” binds everyone together. It is beyond all this,” he said.
