U.S. Religious Freedom Panel Calls for Sanctions Against RSS Over Violations

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has called on the American government to consider sanctions against members of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and Indian officials it says are complicit in religious freedom violations, according to statements from the commission's leadership.

Asif Mahmood, chairman of USCIRF, has specifically urged the revocation of the visa granted to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, citing concerns over the organization's record on religious freedoms. The recommendations reflect ongoing scrutiny by the U.S. body over religious liberty issues in India.

The commission, which monitors religious freedom globally and advises the U.S. State Department, has previously raised concerns about communal tensions and religious minority protections in India. The latest call for sanctions represents an escalation in the panel's advocacy on the matter.

The recommendations come amid broader international attention to religious freedom issues in India, particularly concerning minority communities. The U.S. commission's stance highlights divergent perspectives between Washington and New Delhi on religious liberty standards and implementation.