The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is calling for the American government to revoke the visa of Mohan Bhagwat, the head of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). the commission is also demanding targeted sanctions against Bhagwat and other officials linked to systemic religious freedom violations in India.

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The Push to Revoke Mohan Bhagwat's Visa

The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has taken the rare step of publicly demanding that the American government revoke the visa of Mohan Bhagwat, the chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). according to the report, the commission is also urging the US to implement targeted sanctions against Bhagwat and other officials who have been deemed complicit in religious freedom violations within India.

The USCIRF argues that the presence of RSS leaders in the United States is problematic, not merely because of their travel, but because of the harmful influence their rhetoric exerts on policy in India. By restricting the travel of high-ranking figures like Mohan Bhagwat, the commission believes the US can send a powerful symbolic signal regarding its commitment to global religious liberties.

Hindutva Policy and the BJP's Alignment with the RSS

The USCIRF highlights a concerning synergy between India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Hindutva ideology championed by the RSS. As the report says , this alignment has allegedly led to increased discrimination and violence targeting Sikh, Muslim , Dalit, and Christian communities. The commission asserts that religious freedoms are eroding as violence and incitement become common tools used against non-majority populations.

This ideological shift is presented not as a series of isolated incidents, but as a systemic approach to governance. The commission suggests that the BJP-led government has an opportunity to depart from these discriminatory practices, but only if held accountable by international partners like the United States.

The NRC, CAA, and the Financial Contributions Regulation Act

Specific legislative and administrative actions are cited by the USCIRF as evidence of systemic discrimination. The commission points to the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which have reportedly resulted in the forced removal of Muslim residents in the state of Assam, affecting their legal status and citizenship rights.

Furthermore, the USCIRF warns that pending reforms to the Financial Contributions Regulation Act introduce new restrictions on faith-based non-governmental organisations. These changes threaten the ability of NGOs to fund and advocate for human rights, which the commission believes will further entrench sectarian divisions across India.

India's Potential Designation as a Country of Particular Concern

The USCIRF is urging the US State Department to officially designate India as a "Country of Particular Concern" (CPC) in its 2026 Annual Report. This designation is reserved for nations where the government is judged to have engaged in or tolerated severe violations of religious freedom. Such a move would signal to Indian authorities that the US views these violations as grave and ongoing.

This recommendation places the US government in a difficult position, balancing moral obligations against strategic interests. The United States has long relied on India's economic growth and strategic position in Asia to secure cooperation on science, trade, and security. However, the USCIRF suggests that human rights may now become a decisive factor in shaping future diplomatic engagement.

Will the State Department Prioritize Security Over the USCIRF's Demands?

Despite the commission's strong language, it remains unclear if the US State Department will actually act on these recommendations. The source does not specify whether the State Department has responded to the USCIRF's plea or if the current administration is willing to risk alienating a key strategic partner in Asia.

Additionally, the specific nature of the "targeted sanctions" mentioned by the USCIRF is not detailed, leaving it unknown exactly what financial or travel restrictions are being proposed beyond the visa revocation for Mohan Bhagwat. The report presents the commission's perspective but does not include a response from the BJP or the RSS regarding these allegations.