RSS chief's US visit slammed as 'goodwill tour' masking Hindu nationalism
Activists have criticized a visit to the United States by the head of the Hindu nationalist organization RSS, saying it is being used to promote far-right politics under the guise of outreach to the Indian diaspora.
The head of India's Hindu nationalist organization, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), has faced criticism from activists over a visit to the United States. Critics describe the trip as a "goodwill tour" that in practice serves to spread Hindu nationalist ideology among Indians living abroad.
Activists argue that Hindu nationalists have long sought to conceal their far-right political agenda by making broad, seemingly inclusive appeals to Indian diaspora communities. According to them, this approach allows the underlying political message to be presented in the language of culture or community solidarity, making it more palatable to a wider audience while obscuring its ties to a specific ideological project.
Critics stress that this is not a new tactic — organizations and their representatives have repeatedly used gatherings and public events within diaspora communities to build support for their views outside India, while avoiding overtly political rhetoric.
The visit, and the debate it has sparked, reflects a broader conversation about how religiously and nationalistically motivated movements use diaspora communities to extend their influence in other countries, including the United States.
