India’s Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a powerful Hindu nationalist organisation and ideological parent of the ruling political ecosystem, says it is expanding its outreach to the United States and other Western countries in an effort to improve its international image.
The group announced plans for overseas visits on Tuesday, stating that the initiative is aimed at countering what it calls “misinformation” and allegations linking it to violence against religious minorities in India.
The move comes amid renewed international concern over the treatment of minority communities in India, as well as recent reports from foreign rights bodies alleging a long history of targeted violence and discrimination.
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh was founded in 1925 in Nagpur and describes itself as a cultural and nationalist organisation dedicated to promoting Hindu civilisational identity and national unity.
However, critics describe the RSS as the ideological backbone of Hindutva, a political philosophy that seeks to place Hindu identity at the centre of India’s national framework. They argue that this ideology undermines India’s constitutional secularism and contributes to social and religious polarisation.
The organisation operates through a wide network of affiliated groups covering education, health, media, and social services, collectively known as the Sangh Parivar. It says these bodies aim to strengthen national development and cultural values.
Supporters say the RSS plays a major role in community service and nation-building, while critics argue it promotes exclusionary nationalism and fosters hostility toward minority groups, particularly Muslims and Christians.
The organisation has also faced long-standing controversy over its ideological influences and historical writings of early leaders, which critics say reflected admiration for authoritarian political models in Europe during the 20th century.
Over the years, the RSS has been banned multiple times in India, including briefly after the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi in 1948 by a former member, though it was later reinstated.
In recent years, analysts say the organisation has increased efforts to shape its global narrative, particularly as India expands its diplomatic and economic engagement with Western countries.
Observers say the latest outreach campaign reflects an attempt to counter growing scrutiny abroad while reinforcing its influence within India’s political and cultural landscape.
The RSS has consistently denied allegations of violence or discrimination, maintaining that it is a cultural organisation focused on national unity and social service.
