US religious freedom panel calls on govt to revoke RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's visa ahead of NYC event

The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has expressed concern over Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat’s visit to the United States and called on the federal government to revoke his visa.

Bhagwat, who is currently visiting the US, is scheduled to speak at an event in New York City on Saturday, August 29.

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In a statement, the panel has called on the US government to consider sanctions against RSS members and Indian officials “complicit in religious freedom violation.”

“Religious freedom conditions in India continue to deteriorate as violence and incitement are frequently used to target religious minority communities. We urge the U.S. government to consider targeted sanctions against RSS members and Indian officials complicit in religious freedom violations, including revoking the visa issued to Mohan Bhagwat and making him ineligible for future entry into the United States," said USCIRF Chair Dr Asif Mahmood.

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