'Oldest trick in RSS playbook': Owaisi attacks Mohan Bhagwat over Hindu-Muslim remarks
AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi criticized RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat for remarks on Hindu-Muslim unity, accusing the RSS of projecting a different image to the global community compared to the views expressed in the writings of its key thinkers. Owaisi pointed to historical texts, including a biography of RSS founder K B Hedgewar and writings by former RSS leader M S Golwalkar, suggesting these materials contain negative views toward Muslims and Christians. He further accused the RSS of not contributing to India’s independence movement and linked the organization to the 2002 Gujarat riots. Owaisi also raised concerns about discrimination against Muslims and Christians, citing issues like the Uniform Civil Code and anti-conversion laws. In contrast, Bhagwat emphasized the importance of unity among all religions and stated that those who oppose the presence of Muslims in India cannot truly be considered Hindus.
Mohan Bhagwat, the head of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), is set to visit the United Kingdom following a trip to the United States and Canada. Ahead of his arrival, a group of 15 civil society organisations and individuals in the UK wrote to London Mayor Sadiq Khan, requesting that no venue owned by the Greater London Authority be made available for any RSS event. They described the RSS as an “authoritarian and militarist group which drew explicit inspiration from European fascism.” The groups also urged the mayor to confirm that no mayoral representative would attend any RSS-linked event. The RSS, the parent organisation of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is facing criticism over its role in the 2002 Gujarat riots, which the British High Commission at the time described as having “all the hallmarks of ethnic cleansing.” The riots led to a de facto travel ban on former Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the UK, which was lifted in 2012. The organisations writing to Khan cited “overwhelming evidence” of the RSS and its affiliates committing violence against marginalised communities, including caste-oppressed groups. They referenced reports from the United Nations and the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, which recommended imposing “targeted sanctions” on the RSS and its leadership. The letter also asked whether the mayor would write to the Home Secretary regarding the visit, referencing the Home Office’s “unacceptable behaviours criteria for exclusion” and the UK’s commitment to preventing extremists from entering the country. The groups highlighted New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s opposition to an RSS event at Madison Square Garden on August 29, noting that he had stated he did not support the event. Among the signatories were Hindus for Human Rights, the UK-Indian Muslim Council, India Labour Solidarity, and the South Asia Solidarity Group. Two days after Bhagwat’s speech in New York, nearly 90 US politicians pledged not to accept political contributions from entities linked to the RSS. Organised by Hindus for Human Rights Action and SACRED Acts, the pledge included members of Congress, state legislators, mayors, and local officials from both Democratic and Republican parties. The signatories committed to rejecting political violence and intimidation and returning funds from RSS entities or redirecting them to organisations promoting democracy. Prominent signatories included Rep. Pramila Jayapal, Rep. Ro Khanna, and Rep. Robin Kelly. Some politicians, including Khanna, returned donations from individuals tied to the RSS, citing concerns over the organisation’s influence on US politics. Khanna, who has long had ties with the Hindu-American community, has received significant campaign contributions from Hindu-American donors who support Hindutva causes. In 2023, The Nation reported that Khanna received over $110,000 from Hindutva supporters in the US over the previous 12 years. In response, Khanna stated he had thousands of South Asian donors and did not inquire about their views on Indian politics. He also took a cautious stance on California’s Senate Bill 403, which aimed to add caste as an explicitly protected category in civil rights laws. The Hindu American Foundation, which opposes efforts to explicitly recognize caste discrimination in US law, has denied any affiliation with the RSS. During his speech at the “Universal Oneness Celebrations” in New York, Bhagwat reiterated his position that a Hindu Rashtra does not exclude Muslims. He responded to questions raised by Muslims in 2018, when they had asked whether the RSS’s vision of a Hindu Rashtra meant they would be excluded from India. Bhagwat said, “No, that is not Hindutva.” He argued that anyone who believes Muslims should not live in India is not a true Hindu and that all paths lead to the same divine truth. He also emphasized the importance of unity and the shared values of humanity. The event, organised by the American Hindus for Engagement and Dialogue (AHEAD) forum, attracted over 5,000 attendees. Despite opposition from some US-based Hindu organisations and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who called the RSS’s vision “exclusionary,” the event proceeded. Mamdani stated that the city lacked the authority to cancel a private event, despite his personal opposition to the RSS’s ideology. The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) initially called for sanctions against the RSS and revoked Bhagwat’s visa, citing ongoing deterioration of religious freedom in India. However, USCIRF chair Dr. Asif Mahmood later expressed openness to dialogue with Bhagwat, stating that the organisation was willing to engage in discussions if opportunities arose. The Ministry of External Affairs dismissed USCIRF’s concerns as biased and lacking credibility. Meanwhile, opposition to Bhagwat’s visit intensified, with over 200 Hindu American organisations backing the event and 61 interfaith and secular groups signing an open letter opposing it. Activists warned of potential disruptions and urged caution. The event, which featured cultural performances and speeches, concluded with Bhagwat addressing the audience, reinforcing his message of unity and inclusivity. Following his New York engagement, Bhagwat will proceed to Canada for a five-day tour.
AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi criticized RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's comments on Hindu-Muslim unity, calling them part of the RSS's 'oldest trick' to marginalize religious minorities. Owaisi accused the RSS of viewing Muslims and Christians as 'internal threats,' citing historical writings by RSS thinkers. Bhagwat, during a speech at a New York event, emphasized that Hindus who exclude Muslims from India cease to be considered Hindus, while also affirming the inherent dignity of all humans. The event, organized by the American Hindus for Engagement and Dialogue (AHEAD), faced criticism from figures like New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, though the city did not cancel the event. The RSS has not yet responded to Owaisi's allegations.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the RSS's position as exclusionary and authoritarian, using terms like 'internal threats' and 'dictatorship' to criticize the organization. It highlights Owaisi's opposition to the RSS's perceived hostility toward religious minorities, aligning with left-leaning critiques of major
Why factuality (75): The article accurately reports Owaisi's criticism of Mohan Bhagwat's remarks on Hindu-Muslim unity and references specific statements from RSS founders like Hedgewar and Golwalkar. However, it does not provide direct quotes from the primary source documents (like the RSS biographies) and relies on s
Why objectivity (60): The article presents Owaisi's perspective with strong language ('oldest trick in RSS playbook') and frames the discussion as a conflict between RSS's public image and its historical writings. While it includes both sides of the argument, the tone leans toward criticizing the RSS, which affects neutr
The article discusses Mohan Bhagwat, the leader of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and his efforts to increase the organization's international presence. It highlights how these initiatives have led to increased scrutiny and criticism, both domestically and internationally. The piece suggests that Bhagwat's global outreach has made the RSS more visible but also more controversial, drawing attention to potential ideological and geopolitical implications. The article frames these developments as a 'costly' endeavor, implying negative consequences for the organization's reputation.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a balanced view of Mohan Bhagwat's global initiatives, highlighting both their visibility and the resulting controversies. While it acknowledges the criticisms, it does not overtly favor one side over another. The tone remains objective, focusing on the outcomes rather than esp.
Why factuality (70): The article lacks specific details about the X account blocking incident and focuses more on the broader implications of Bhagwat's visit. While it mentions the criticisms from various organizations, it does not provide full context or direct quotes from the primary source, resulting in lower factual
Why objectivity (60): The tone appears to emphasize the controversy surrounding Bhagwat's visit, potentially leaning towards a critical view of the RSS. The phrasing suggests a narrative that portrays the event as controversial and politically charged.
Times of IndiaIndependentProgressiveFactual 65Objective 658/30/2026
AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi criticized RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat for remarks on Hindu-Muslim unity, accusing the RSS of projecting a different image to the global community compared to the views expressed in the writings of its key thinkers. Owaisi pointed to historical texts, including a biography of RSS founder K B Hedgewar and writings by former RSS leader M S Golwalkar, suggesting these materials contain negative views toward Muslims and Christians. He further accused the RSS of not contributing to India’s independence movement and linked the organization to the 2002 Gujarat riots. Owaisi also raised concerns about discrimination against Muslims and Christians, citing issues like the Uniform Civil Code and anti-conversion laws. In contrast, Bhagwat emphasized the importance of unity among all religions and stated that those who oppose the presence of Muslims in India cannot truly be considered Hindus.
Bias read (Progressive): The article presents Owaisi's accusations against the RSS, highlighting perceived discriminatory rhetoric and linking the organization to past violence and current policies affecting minority communities. While Bhagwat's comments are included, the framing emphasizes criticism of the RSS and its core
Why factuality (65): The article summarizes Bhagwat's speech at the New York event, including his comments on Hindu-Muslim unity. It aligns with other reports but lacks direct quotes from the speech itself. The focus on Bhagwat's message is clear, though it doesn't delve into the broader debate around RSS's position on
Why objectivity (65): The article maintains a neutral tone, presenting Bhagwat's statements without overtly supporting or opposing them. It focuses on reporting the content of the speech rather than injecting personal opinion, which contributes to its moderate objectivity.
The article titled 'Dear Zohran Mamdani, here are some things you may not know about Mohan Bhagwat' by The Indian Express appears to be a letter or commentary addressing Zohran Mamdani, likely a journalist or public figure, with the intent to provide information or critique regarding Mohan Bhagwat. The piece seems to focus on revealing lesser-known aspects of Mohan Bhagwat, who is a prominent leader within the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a right-wing organization in India. While the content suggests a critical or informative tone, the exact nature of the claims or arguments made is not fully detailed in the provided text. The article does not offer specific examples or evidence to substantiate its points, leaving the reader with a general impression of the author’s intent rather than concrete information.
Bias read (Progressive): The article appears to frame Mohan Bhagwat in a manner that could be interpreted as critical of his role or influence within the RSS, which is associated with right-wing politics. The tone and structure suggest a potential left-leaning perspective, possibly aiming to highlight perceived issues or im
Why factuality (60): This article title suggests a direct address to the mayor but lacks substantial factual content beyond the headline. It does not provide specific details about the event itself or its context, making it difficult to assess full accuracy based on available information.
Why objectivity (65): The tone appears to be opinionated given the phrasing of the title. While no explicit bias is stated, the approach seems to imply a critique of the mayor's stance without presenting opposing viewpoints.
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