Cong, VBA denied permission to march towards RSS HQ A planned protest march by the Congress and Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) towards the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) headquarters in Mahal was halted on Monday after authorities denied permission for the full route, citing law and order concerns. The protest, originally intended to start at Samvidhan Chowk, will now be restricted to Morris Y Point. Traffic restrictions will be enforced between 12 noon and 3 pm along the route. Vehicles traveling from Rahate Colony to Morris Y Point must turn left at the Institute of Science and right at Manas Chowk. Traffic from Kamptee Road and Kasturchand Park Metro Station towards Samvidhan Chowk will be diverted via Jaistambh Chowk and Akashwani Chowk. Additional traffic adjustments may be made depending on the situation, according to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Lohit Matani. The march will be led by State Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal and VBA chief Prakash Ambedkar, with the protest scheduled to begin at 11 am. Party leaders have called for widespread participation to demonstrate opposition to the BJP-led Central government. The protest is linked to allegations involving the "Epstein files," with Congress leaders accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of remaining silent on the issue. They also allege a sustained BJP campaign to discredit the party’s leadership, including Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi. In a statement, Congress leaders criticized the Centre’s foreign policy and accused the BJP and RSS of undermining democratic values. The protest comes amid broader political tensions, with the Congress seeking to challenge the BJP’s narrative and assert its position in the state.#congress #rashtriya_swayamsevak_sangh #harshwardhan_sapkal #vanchit_bahujan_aghadi #prakash_ambedkar
Vice-President CP Radhakrishnan Highlights RSS’s ‘Nation First’ Ideology as National Movement Vice-President CP Radhakrishnan emphasized the historical and ideological significance of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) during his address at the 29th national session of the Indian Youth Parliament in Nagpur. Speaking at the Maharshi Vyas Sabhagrah, he underscored how the RSS’s “Nation first” ideology has transformed it into a massive national movement dedicated to service and unity. Radhakrishnan highlighted Nagpur’s role as the birthplace of the RSS, founded by Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar in 1925, and described its journey from a small initiative to a nationwide effort driven by a commitment to national service. He noted that the RSS’s growth reflects the spirit of “Rashtra Pratham” (nation first), a principle that remains relevant even as the world faces global challenges like war. Radhakrishnan stressed that dialogue, not conflict, is the path to resolving such crises. The address, delivered under the theme “Indian languages & developed India–2047,” focused on the importance of cultural identity, linguistic diversity, and the role of youth in shaping India’s future. Radhakrishnan argued that India’s linguistic plurality is a strength, urging the youth to embrace their mother tongues as a source of originality rather than regionalism. He emphasized that each language carries its own heritage, contributing to the nation’s cultural harmony. The VP also called for innovation rooted in India’s civilizational foundations to achieve the goal of a developed India by 2047, warning against reliance on borrowed ideas. He urged the youth to think in native languages and approach challenges with confidence, while highlighting democratic values such as dialogue and consensus.#nagpur #rashtriya_swayamsevak_sangh #cp_radhakrishnan #maharshi_vyas_sabhagrah #indian_youth_parliament
Epstein Files row: Oppn plans march to RSS HQ Nagpur: The Congress and Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) have announced a joint protest march in Nagpur on March 23, targeting the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) headquarters. The demonstration aims to question Sangh leaders about the alleged inclusion of BJP ministers in the Epstein Files and India’s ongoing engagement with the United States. The march, organized from Samvidhan Square to the RSS headquarters in Mahal, will be led by state Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal and VBA chief Prakash Ambedkar, with participation from thousands of party workers and allied groups. Sapkal, speaking to The Times of India, stated that the protest seeks to address why BJP ministers remain in office despite the revelations in the Epstein Files. He also highlighted concerns over recent trade agreements with the US, warning that these could negatively impact India’s agriculture sector. The protest underscores growing political tensions over the government’s handling of international relations and domestic economic policies. The march comes amid broader debates about the role of the RSS and BJP in shaping India’s political landscape. Critics argue that the Epstein Files, which allegedly link certain BJP leaders to controversial activities, have raised questions about the party’s integrity. Meanwhile, the trade deal with the US has sparked discussions about its potential effects on Indian farmers and industries, adding to the opposition’s demands for accountability. The event is part of a larger narrative of political mobilization, with opposition parties leveraging issues like economic policy and foreign relations to challenge the ruling government.#congress #rashtriya_swayamsevak_sangh #harshwardhan_sapkal #vanchit_bahujan_aghadi #prakash_ambedkar
Donald Trump to ban RSS and RAW? US Religious Freedom Commission makes major recommendation, seeks halt to weapons sales to India The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has recommended that the Donald Trump administration impose restrictions on India’s Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). The commission’s report, released in its 2026 annual report, criticizes the working methods of both organizations and calls for measures such as asset seizures and bans on members entering the United States. The report also questions the role of RAW, which has been under scrutiny since 2025 for alleged involvement in plots to assassinate Sikh separatists. The USCIRF, an independent U.S. agency tasked with monitoring religious freedom, urged the Trump administration to designate India as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC). This designation would signal heightened concerns about religious persecution and could lead to sanctions against Indian entities. The commission’s recommendations highlight tensions between the U.S. and India, particularly regarding the RSS, a right-wing organization founded in 1925 that has long been influential in Indian politics. While the White House is not legally bound to follow the USCIRF’s recommendations, the report underscores growing U.S. skepticism about India’s domestic policies. The commission’s focus on RAW and the RSS reflects broader concerns about the role of these groups in shaping India’s political and security landscape. The report’s release coincides with ongoing debates over U.S.-India relations, including discussions about halting weapons sales to India, which the commission has also suggested.#india #donald_trump #rashtriya_swayamsevak_sangh #us_commission_on_international_religious_freedom #research_and_analysis_wing
Donald Trump to ban RSS and RAW? US Religious Freedom Commission makes major recommendation, seeks halt to weapons sales to India The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has recommended that the Donald Trump administration impose restrictions on India’s Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). The commission’s report, released earlier this month, criticizes the working methods of both organizations and calls for measures to limit their influence. While the White House is not legally bound to follow these recommendations, the USCIRF, an independent U.S. agency tasked with monitoring religious freedom, has urged the Trump administration to take action. The report, part of the 2026 annual report, highlights concerns about the RSS’s role in India and the RAW’s alleged involvement in activities that threaten religious and political stability. The RSS, founded in 1925, has been a significant force in Indian society for over a century. The commission’s report questions its methods, suggesting that its activities may undermine religious freedom. Similarly, the RAW has been under scrutiny for its alleged role in past incidents, including plots against Sikh separatists. In 2025, the USCIRF had previously called for a ban on the RAW, accusing it of involvement in such activities. The commission now urges the Trump administration to designate India as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC), a designation that would signal serious violations of religious freedom. The recommendations include potential sanctions against the RSS, such as seizing its assets and barring its members from entering the United States.#india #donald_trump #rashtriya_swayamsevak_sangh #us_commission_on_international_religious_freedom #research_and_analysis_wing
US Religious Freedom Panel Recommends Targeted Sanctions on RSS, R&AW The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has recommended targeted sanctions against the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), citing concerns over their alleged violations of religious freedom. The report, released recently, highlights the organizations’ roles in perpetuating discrimination and undermining minority rights in India. The external affairs ministry has not issued a formal response to the latest findings, but it has previously dismissed similar reports as “biased,” emphasizing its stance that such claims lack credibility. The recommendations come amid ongoing tensions between India and the U.S. over human rights issues, including the treatment of religious minorities and the use of state intelligence agencies. While the Indian government has consistently rejected allegations of systemic discrimination, the USCIRF report argues that the RSS and R&AW have been instrumental in fostering an environment of intolerance through their influence on policy and public discourse. The panel’s findings are part of a broader U.S. effort to hold countries accountable for human rights abuses, though India has historically resisted external scrutiny of its internal affairs. The report’s release coincides with a period of heightened diplomatic activity between the two nations, including recent discussions on trade and security. However, the issue of religious freedom remains a contentious point, with the U.S. frequently raising it during bilateral talks.#rashtriya_swayamsevak_sangh #us_commission_on_international_religious_freedom #research_and_analysis_wing #external_affairs_ministry #us_india_relations
USCIRF’s Call for Sanctions on the RSS Marks a Major Shift For years, advocates and scholars have faced criticism for highlighting the systemic nature of religious freedom violations in India, often being labeled as overreacting or partisan. However, the recent report by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has underscored a critical reality: the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a central pillar of Hindu nationalist ideology, plays a structural role in enabling discrimination against religious minorities. This acknowledgment marks a significant shift in how the crisis in India is being addressed internationally. The RSS, far from being a marginal group, has long been a driving force behind policies and narratives that marginalize Muslims, Christians, Dalits, Adivasis, Sikhs, and other dissenting communities. Its influence has created a political environment where religious minorities face exclusion, fear, and systemic vulnerability. By naming the RSS explicitly in its 2026 report, USCIRF has signaled that the U.S. government recognizes the role of powerful institutions in normalizing religious freedom violations, rather than attributing such issues to isolated extremists. While USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan advisory body and its recommendations do not automatically translate to policy, the report’s focus on the RSS represents a turning point. It reflects a growing willingness to confront the ideological underpinnings of exclusion in India. The report emphasizes that religious freedom cannot be reduced to a mere talking point; it requires the courage to name systems that perpetuate violence and discrimination under the guise of tradition and national identity.#india #uscirf #rashtriya_swayamsevak_sangh #religious_minorities #us_commission_on_international_religious_freedom
USCIRF Calls for Sanctions on RSS in 2026 Report The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has issued a report urging the U.S. government to impose sanctions on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), marking a significant shift in how religious freedom violations in India are addressed. The report, released in March 2026, highlights the RSS’s role as a central pillar of Hindu nationalist ideology and its systemic impact on minority communities. This recommendation underscores the growing recognition that the assault on religious freedom in India is not isolated to extremist actions but is deeply embedded in institutional structures. For years, critics of Hindutva have faced accusations of overreacting or being divisive, but the report challenges this narrative by documenting the deliberate and sustained suppression of religious minorities. The RSS’s influence has created a political environment where Muslims, Christians, Dalits, Adivasis, Sikhs, and dissenters face exclusion, fear, and vulnerability. By naming the RSS specifically, USCIRF acknowledges that these violations are enabled by powerful institutions, not just individual actors. This stance represents a turning point in how the crisis in India is perceived internationally. USCIRF, an independent bipartisan advisory body, does not dictate policy directly, but its recommendations shape public discourse and international scrutiny. The call for sanctions on the RSS signals a broader acknowledgment that the machinery of religious freedom violations in India requires naming and challenging. The report emphasizes that religious freedom cannot be reduced to a political talking point; it demands the courage to confront systems that marginalize minorities under the guise of tradition and national identity.#india #uscirf #rashtriya_swayamsevak_sangh #religious_freedom #hindutva
