Report challenges VHP-America’s independence from Hindutva groups in India

Savera, an alliance of Indian-American groups, has exposed the political and material links between the Vishwa Hindu Parishad-America (VHP-A) and right-wing Hindutva groups in India, contradicting the VHP-A's claims of separate independence.

Over five decades, the VHP-A has forged a symbiotic relationship with its Indian counterpart, the VHP, through shared personnel, regular coordination meetings, and substantial financial exchanges.

Savera's findings reveal a pattern of VHP-A leaders undertaking frequent visits to India for training and coordination with VHP officials, including participation in the Vishwa Sangh Shibir, a specialized camp for overseas workers of the RSS and VHP.

Financial transactions between the VHP-A and its Indian affiliates have been substantial, with over $7 million transferred between 2001 and 2020, underscoring the depth of their financial interdependence.

Moreover, the report highlights the broader implications of such relationships, suggesting that similar ties exist among other Sangh organizations and their overseas wings. The network extends horizontally, with parallels drawn between the VHP's relationship with the BJP and that of the VHP-A with the Overseas Friends of BJP (OFBJP).

The latter was compelled to register as a Foreign Agent in the US in 2020, raising questions about the necessity for similar designations for a wider array of organizations within the Sangh network.

This revelation challenges the narrative of the VHP-A's autonomy and underscores the transnational nature of Hindutva ideology. Critics argue that such close ties between Hindutva groups in India and the US could have far-reaching consequences, potentially influencing policies and perceptions in both countries.