“Threats posed by RSS are real, active and ongoing”: Diaspora groups demand UK boycott of Mohan Bhagwat’s visit

As the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) supremo, Mohan Bhagwat, about to tour the United Kingdom, Indian diaspora organisations demanded Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), UK’s religious freedom panel, and All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for FoRB to boycott his functions.

They also demanded to make sure that Britain’s multicultural fabric is protected.

The UK Foreign Office’s (FCDO) FoRB special envoy David Smith MP and FoRB APPG chair Jim Shannon MP are also urged to issue public condemnation of the RSS for its role in religious persecution, and impose sanctions on its members and affiliates.

Over 20 organisations who signed the letter sent out to UK Foreign Office alleged that “Mr. Bhagwat’s planned visit to Britain… is part of a charm offensive of public outreach, supported by his allies in the UK.”

The letter highlighted a similar move done by its US counterpart for religious freedom, United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) that demanded the US government to impose targeted sanction against RSS in its annual reports for the last seven consecutive years.

The US religious freedom panel has designated India as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) “for engaging in and tolerating systematic, ongoing, and egregious religious freedom violations,” in its latest annual Report published this year. Ahead of his US visit last week, it also demanded the government to revoke the visa issued to Bhagwat and to ban him from entering to the country in future.

“The threats posed in Britain by the RSS are real, active and ongoing. Mr. Bhagwat’s visit will embolden RSS affiliates in the UK to promulgate hate speech, further polarise the Indian diaspora, and create an environment of fear and intimidation for vulnerable communities across the country,” the letter sent by the organisations reads.

Bhagwat is expected to visit the UK between September 2 to 7, though the information about his UK visit is kept confidential. Earlier he visited America and spoke at New York’s Maddison Square Garden before visiting Canada amid huge backlash diverse Indian diaspora communities.

The letter also scrutinised the legacy of Mohan Bhagwat’s predecessor and ideologue M.S Golwalkar for “notoriously gaining inspiration from Hitler’s treatment of the Jews as a model of ‘race pride’ which India should emulate in its treatment of minorities.”

The letter also accused RSS for inspiring violence worldwide including the infamous Norwegian Neo-Nazi Anders Breivik who carried out a 2011 mass shooting at a summer camp killing 77 people and injuring over 323 individuals.

With established academic works, RSS has widely been blamed for operating transnational network of organisations harvesting funds channelling into violence against religious minorities in India.

The letter has been signed by South Asia Solidarity Group, UK Indian Muslim Council, South Asia Justice Campaign, Hindus for Human Rights UK, Periyar Ambedkar Study Circle, India Labour Solidarity (UK), Dalit Solidarity Network (DSN-UK), Muslim Engagement and Development (MEND), Birmingham Black Sisters, International Solidarity for Academic Freedom in India (InSAF India), Joint Committee to Stop Repression in India (JCSRI ), Minority Rights Group, Black and Brown Rainbow, Million Women Rise, Strive UK, Indian Workers Association (GB), Nijjor Manush, South Asian Liberation Movement, Doikayt Collective, பொழில்|Poḻil Tamil Women's Organisation, and Indus Legacy.

London Mayor is urged to disengage and condemn the visit of Bhagwat

Over 20 Indian diaspora organisations came together demanding assurance from London Mayor complete boycott of his functions.

The letter sent out to Sadiq Khan by British-Indian organisations demanded to deny any venues controlled or owned by the Greater London Authority (GLA), and to avoid speaking or sending support messages either by himself or any other GLA representative among others.

It also demanded to clarify the measures in place arranged by Metropolitan Police to ensure security for the communities in London who are usually targeted by Hindu supremacist organisations affiliated to RSS.

MP Nadia Whittome questions Government’s risk assessment

Labour MP Nadia Whittome has tabled a written question in parliament over the government’s risk assessment regarding Bhagwat’s visit. The written question was submitted last week.

According to the policy of “unacceptable behaviours criteria,” the UK Home Office has to assess the risk while considering entry to the country for any non-UK nationals whose presence is deemed not conducive to the “public good.” This policy activates the long-standing commitment of the government to block hate preachers, extremists, and those who seek to undermine British values or social cohesion. MP Nadia Whittome asked the government whether it has already carried out this assessment.

It is expected that the Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood will reply Nadia in parliament by tomorrow on 3 September, when it convenes for the day during the ongoing session.