USCIRF Chair and Commissioner Call for Sanctions on RSS Before Bhagwat’s U.S. Visit

Asif Mahmood, chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), and commissioner Gene Mills called for sanctions against the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) ahead of RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat’s visit to the U.S. on August 29. They urged the American government not to extend diplomatic courtesies or hold high-level meetings with RSS leaders, citing attacks on religious minorities by its sub-groups. The USCIRF criticized India for alleged violations of religious freedom in its March report and backed sanctions against entities like the RSS. India rejected these claims, stating that the USCIRF presents a distorted view.