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Dec

RSS Lobbying in the U.S.: Silence in India, Questions Abroad

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An interview with Prof. Ram Puniyani

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New Delhi | Friday | 12 December 2025

For weeks now, significant developments concerning the RSS and its overseas activities have surfaced in the United States. Surprisingly, these reports—carrying major political implications—have scarcely made a ripple in Indian mainstream media.

Among the revelations is the claim that Siddharth Branch, an RSS-linked body, contacted the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Additional documents highlight concerns raised within the U.S. about the rights of minorities in India. There is also the widely discussed episode of the Yogi Adityanath victory celebration, which triggered its own set of controversies abroad.

To understand the broader implications of these issues, we spoke with Professor Ram Puniyani, noted academic and commentator on communal politics.

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Media Silence and an Overlooked Story

Opening the conversation, the first question was straightforward:

Despite the seriousness of the allegations, why has the Indian media chosen near-total silence?

Prof. Puniyani observes that the revelations—first reported by an online portal—should have triggered a nationwide discussion. The report claimed that the RSS’s overseas wing, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS), paid USD 300,000 to American lobbying firm Square Patton Boggs to raise issues with U.S. Congress members and government bodies. The same firm lobbies for several political and corporate interests globally.

“The scale of this activity is unprecedented,” he notes. “If any other Indian organisation had attempted such lobbying, it would have caused a massive uproar. But because the RSS is involved, the mainstream media has chosen to look away.”

He contrasts this with how the media reacts when opposition leaders—especially Rahul Gandhi—travel abroad. “Any statement he makes is labelled as ‘defaming India’ or ‘speaking Pakistan’s language.’ Yet reports about the RSS lobbying in America draw no comment.”

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Article at a Glance
Recent revelations in the U.S. about the RSS and its overseas activities have raised major political and legal questions, yet Indian mainstream media has largely remained silent. Documents indicate that the RSS-linked Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) allegedly paid USD 300,000 to a U.S. lobbying firm to influence American lawmakers, while international reports highlight concerns about declining religious freedom and Hindutva-driven diaspora mobilisation. Prof. Ram Puniyani questions how an “unregistered organisation” like the RSS can legally move large funds overseas and stresses the lack of transparency. He also points to disturbing abuse cases within RSS-linked groups and the global scrutiny their activities now face. Puniyani argues that decades of institutional influence have enabled media silence in India. The developments raise broader issues about democratic values, legality, moral leadership, and India’s international reputation.

 

 

What the U.S. Reports Actually Say

Prof. Puniyani draws attention to multiple international documents:

•     The U.S. International Religious Freedom Report 2023, which records a decline in religious freedom in India and highlights discriminatory policies such as the CAA.

•     A university-based Centre for the Study of Religion, Security and Society, which details concerns regarding Hindutva-linked organisations abroad.

•     Independent reports describing how HSS and its affiliates influence diaspora communities, public opinion, and political representatives.

He notes that HSS reportedly operates in more than 40 countries, including extensive activities in the United States. Their own websites showcase summer camps and programs explicitly shaped by Hindutva ideology.

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Funding, Transparency, and the Question of Legality

One of the most troubling aspects, according to Prof. Puniyani, is the funding pattern.

“The Indian Prime Minister himself has said that the RSS is an ‘unregistered organisation.’ If that is true, how is so much money—crores of rupees—moving across borders?” he asks.

The RSS frequently states that it accepts only guru dakshina (voluntary contributions from followers) and therefore is not required to maintain formal accounts. But Prof. Puniyani counters that international transfers of this scale inevitably fall under stringent financial and regulatory frameworks.

“If donations are flowing abroad without proper accounting, this is not just a political issue. It is a legal issue—possibly involving violations of tax laws, foreign funding rules, and disclosure norms.”

He adds that while the RSS denies spending such amounts abroad, its websites and affiliated reports list large expenditures that contradict official statements.

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A Structure Built Over a Century

Underlying the media’s silence, Prof. Puniyani argues, is a deeper structural problem.

“For nearly a hundred years, the RSS has built a network that now spans education, civil society, bureaucracy, and public discourse. Many individuals in influential positions have come through its ideological training. This creates an ecosystem where uncomfortable questions simply do not get asked.”

Large sections of the media, dependent on government patronage and corporate support, avoid issues that might inconvenience the political establishment.

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Internal Abuse and Moral Questions

The conversation also turned to disturbing incidents recently reported from Kerala. In one case, a minor was allegedly raped by a worker from an RSS-affiliated organisation. In another, a young RSS member died by suicide, leaving behind a note alleging prolonged sexual exploitation by senior workers.

“These incidents reveal internal rot and abuse,” says Prof. Puniyani. “In India, such cases are often suppressed by godi media. But in the U.S., institutions investigate these allegations seriously. Naturally, organisations operating abroad are coming under scrutiny.”

He reiterates that HSS summer camps—run across various countries—have been criticised for teaching children an ideology based on exclusion and hostility.

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International Impact, Domestic Indifference

When asked about the effects of U.S. reports and academic findings, Prof. Puniyani says:

“The Indian government will hardly respond. The BJP and RSS share the same ideological worldview, and their project is to reshape India into a Hindu Rashtra. International criticism does not influence their actions.”

However, he stresses that global public opinion is shifting. Scholars, human rights groups, and civil society organisations abroad are increasingly vocal about the nature of Hindutva politics.

“Even if political leaders like Trump praise Modi, that doesn’t change what academic institutions or human rights bodies conclude from their research.”

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Vishwaguru or Ideological Exporter?

The RSS often speaks of making India a vishwaguru—a teacher to the world. But can a country project moral leadership while exporting ideological hate?

Prof. Puniyani offers a blunt assessment:

“True global leadership requires moral integrity. Gandhi taught humanity the path of nonviolence and truth. But today, those who celebrate Godse—Gandhi’s assassin—claim to represent India’s values. This contradiction is devastating for our global image.”

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Conclusion

As the conversation ends, the host notes what is now obvious:

Indian mainstream media has largely ignored a story of major national importance.

The revelations about RSS-linked lobbying in the U.S., questions about funding, concerns over internal abuse, and findings from international institutions all raise critical issues—legal, moral, and political.

Prof. Puniyani concludes with a warning:

“These matters are not just about one organisation. They are about India’s democracy, its international reputation, and the values we claim to stand for.”

In an era where public debate is shrinking and critical journalism is under pressure, it becomes even more essential for citizens to understand what these developments mean—for India today and for its future. (Courtesy:NVN)

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