RSS inspired by Hitler’s ‘race pride’ ideology, threat real: UK Indian diaspora call for Bhagwat boycott
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Ahead of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s proposed UK visit, a group of diverse organisations, including Indian diaspora groups, has called upon British government authorities and public bodies to boycott his events, citing what they describe as the “vicious ideology” of the RSS towards minorities.
They warned that the organisation’s presence in Britain posed a “real, active and ongoing” threat, and said Bhagwat’s visit could further polarise the Indian diaspora and create an atmosphere of fear and intimidation among vulnerable communities.
More than 20 organisations have signed a letter sent to the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the UK’s religious freedom panel and the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), urging them to boycott functions associated with Bhagwat. They also called for Britain’s multicultural fabric to be protected.
The groups urged FoRB special envoy David Smith MP and APPG chair Jim Shannon MP to publicly condemn the RSS over what they alleged was its role in religious persecution, and called for sanctions against its members and affiliates.
The organisations described Bhagwat’s proposed visit, expected to take place between 2 and 7 September, as part of a “charm offensive of public outreach” supported by his allies in Britain. They also referred to the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), which, according to the letter, has called for targeted sanctions against the RSS in its annual reports for seven consecutive years.
The letter further cited the USCIRF’s designation of India as a Country of Particular Concern over alleged systematic and ongoing religious freedom violations. It also referred to calls made ahead of Bhagwat’s recent proposed US visit for his visa to be revoked and for him to be barred from entering the country.
The organisations have separately urged London Mayor Sadiq Khan to disengage from Bhagwat’s visit and deny the use of venues controlled or owned by the Greater London Authority. They also asked for clarification on measures being taken by the Metropolitan Police to protect communities they said could be targeted by groups affiliated with the RSS.
Labour MP Nadia Whittome has also questioned the Government over its risk assessment concerning Bhagwat’s proposed visit. Under the Home Office’s “unacceptable behaviours” criteria, authorities can assess whether the presence of a non-UK national would be conducive to the public good. Whittome has asked whether such an assessment has been carried out.
The letter also scrutinised the legacy of RSS ideologue M.S. Golwalkar, Bhagwat’s predecessor, alleging that he drew inspiration from Hitler’s treatment of Jews as a model of “race pride” that India should emulate in its treatment of minorities.
The organisations further alleged that RSS-linked ideology had inspired violence internationally, including by Norwegian neo-Nazi Anders Breivik, claims that have been strongly contested and require careful scrutiny.