OVER 40 CANADIAN GROUPS URGE GOVERNMENT TO DENY ENTRY TO RSS CHIEF MOHAN BHAGWAT

Sat 08 August 2026:

More than 40 Canadian civil society, human rights, labour and faith-based organisations have urged the country’s public safety minister to deny entry to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat, who is expected to visit Canada from August 31 to September 1.

In a letter to Canadian Minister of Public Safety Gary Anandasangaree, the coalition alleged that Bhagwat’s proposed visit poses public safety and national security concerns, citing what it described as the RSS’s record of religious majoritarianism, intimidation and alleged links to transnational repression.

The organisations have submitted a briefing paper to Canadian ministers arguing that Bhagwat’s entry should be examined under Canadian laws governing inadmissibility, particularly in relation to alleged links between RSS-affiliated networks and harassment of activists, academics and members of minority communities in the diaspora.

The coalition includes the Canadian Forum for Human Rights & Democracy in India, Canadian Council of Indian Muslims, Canadians for Indian Democracy, South Asian Dalit Adivasi Network, World Sikh Organization, Canadian Council of Muslim Women, Independent Jewish Voices Canada, Just Peace Advocates, South Asian Women’s & Immigrants’ Services, Fédération des femmes du Québec, Dr Ambedkar International Mission, Toronto East Anti-hate Mobilization and Asian Canadian Labour Alliance, among others.

“Minister Anandasangaree must enforce Canadian law to protect our communities from far-right extremism, hate speech, and foreign intimidation,” the dossier reads.

“Allowing the head of a violent paramilitary network into Canada threatens vulnerable minority populations — including Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Jews, and Dalits — and undermines Charter rights.”

The organisations’ appeal comes as Bhagwat prepares for what would be his first visit to Canada. Reports say the RSS chief is scheduled to travel to Canada on August 31 after a visit to the United States as part of the organisation’s efforts to expand its global outreach.

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Who is Mohan Bhagwat?

Mohan Bhagwat, 75, has been the chief, or Sarsanghchalak, of the RSS since 2009. He rose through the organisation’s ranks and served as its Sarkaryavah, or general secretary, before succeeding K. S. Sudarshan as its chief in March 2009.

Although the RSS describes itself as a cultural and social organisation, Bhagwat occupies the most powerful position in the organisation and has been one of the most influential figures in India’s Hindu nationalist movement.

The RSS has long maintained close ideological and organisational links with the wider Sangh Parivar, a family of Hindu nationalist organisations that includes the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), although the RSS itself is not a political party.

RSS has also faced government bans in India on three occasions — in 1948 following Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination, during the Emergency in 1975, and in 1992 following the demolition of the Babri Masjid. The bans were subsequently lifted.

Concerns over minorities and diaspora communities

The Canadian groups’ concerns come amid growing international scrutiny of religious freedom and the treatment of minorities in India.

The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has repeatedly raised concerns about religious freedom in India and examined the relationship between Hindu nationalist organisations, including the RSS, and the BJP-led political system. In a 2025 report, USCIRF said it was concerned about the role of Hindu nationalist groups such as the RSS in India’s religious-freedom environment.

USCIRF has also raised concerns about alleged transnational repression targeting religious minorities, activists, journalists and human rights defenders outside India. In 2023, it specifically cited concerns over India’s alleged targeting of religious minorities and their advocates abroad.