Write up in The Diplomat, CSRR report against Hindus, RSS & Bharat’s diaspora is factually incorrect, misleading & spreads fear!
Madhusudhana Hebbar
A write up in The Diplomat, titled “Decoding Hindutva’s US Operations,” published on October 27, 2025 attempts to unveil what it portrays as a network of Hindu nationalist organizations in United States, allegedly tied to India’s Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and purportedly pose a threat to American equality and religious pluralism.
Drawing extensively from May 2025 report by Rutgers University’s Center for Security, Race, and Rights (CSRR), titled “Hindutva in America: A Threat to Equality and Religious Pluralism,” the piece labels Hindutva as a “supremacist” ideology comparable to fascism or white supremacy.
But the article is marred by factual inaccuracies, logical inconsistencies; innuendos and a biased narrative that stigmatizes Hindu Americans. CSRR report itself has been questioned for its methodological flaws, including cherry-picking evidence, false equivalences and lack of community input. The report and the article wrongly portray cultural pride as supremacy while ignoring Hindutva’s roots in inclusivity and principles like vasudhaiva kutumbakam (the world is one family).
A core inconsistency emerges in the article’s handling of RSS connections internationally. While the write up cites RSS website on not having any affiliates abroad, it still adventures to bracket Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh as RSS international wing. Factually, there are no formal linkages whatsoever between the two organizations barring the Bharat, Bharatiyata and Hindus link.
RSS website said, “RSS works only in Bharat. But it is possible that we will be able to connect you to some like-minded organization in your country. No concrete evidence of formal ties (if any) is provided; instead, the article relies on vague “people trails”- personal associations which tantamount to guilt by association.
This tactic echoes historic smears and overlooks that US-based organizations like HSS operate independently to promote cultural education, yoga, family values, community service and preserve Hindu heritage in multi-cultural America and not as an RSS extension.
As against what has been claimed in the write up, HSS has 267 shakhas or basic chapters across seven regions in the United State in 33 states.
The assertion that “primary focus of RSS activities in US is to unify the Hindu diaspora with an India-centric approach and to raise funds from them for projects in India” is baseless, as RSS does not operate in the US.
The write up does not support its claims accusing RSS of mobilizing funds illicitly for and from organisations like Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation.
In contrast, Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation complies with US laws and focus on education in underserved areas of India. Supporting organizations back in Bharat working on its villages is not a crime. When Irish Americans supports Ireland or Jewish communities aid to Israel do not pose threat to US, then how do Bharat diaspora run Ekal become an issue?
Yet another misleading charge made in the write up was that Hindutva organizations seek to “erase the history of caste-based atrocities” from US textbooks. This stems from 2005-17 California textbook controversy where Hindu American Foundation (HAF) and others advocated for equitable portrayal of Hinduism, akin to treatment of Islam or Judaism.
Authors of The Diplomat write up sought to correct inaccuracies, highlight positive contributions like yoga and philosophy and distinguish ancient varna / jati systems from modern caste discrimination without denying historical issues.
HAF had requested taking on board Dalit Hindu spiritual traditions framing this as a push for fairness, not erasure. Opponents labeled it whitewashing, but the process involved public hearings and resulted in balanced revisions.
The talk of Global Hindu Heritage Foundation in funding “reconversion” of Indian Christians to Hinduism is again far from truth. The article provides no link to RSS or other listed groups. From publicly available data, it appears that GHHF operates focusing on preserving Hindu temples and culture. These activities are not illegal in US and pale in comparison to centuries of Christian missionary efforts in India towards evangelism, funded by millions of dollars from outside India.
Claims about figures like Saumitra Gokhale as RSS “pracharak” rely on affiliations, not proof of covert operations. His role in HSS and related groups involve open community work focused on the organisation’s mission and vision including yoga instruction, holding camps, seminars, talks, workshops etc.
The Diplomat article and CSRR report perpetuate a narrative that conflates cultural advocacy with extremism, risking the marginalization of Hindu Americans that constitute over two per cent of US population. It’s by design that their contribution through technology, medicine, and philanthropy has been ignored. Alarmist smears against Indian American Hindus sans evidence smacks of a pre-designed and agenda-based writing.
The article fails to offer evidence on threats posed by American Hindus to the country’s commitment to equality and religious pluralism. A simple Google search for terms like Yoga, SNY (Surya Namaskar Yagna) reveal a wealth of community service initiatives undertaken by HSS and like-minded organizations to benefit the areas they serve.
The article fails to include perspectives of any individual or organization mentioned (beyond HAF) while writing based purely on CSRR report. It’s truly unfortunate that a respected outlet like The Diplomat would publish a piece that reads more like a promotional pamphlet or propaganda for the CSRR report itself.
Online hate has intensified with White House Deepawali events triggering racist campaigns calling for deportations and denouncing Hindu immigrants’ contribution through taxes, technology and innovation. The timing is no coincidence.
The write up claims division when Hindu advocacy groups push for recognition and protection against hate crimes that have doubled. Rather than countering this bigotry, pieces like the one Diplomat fuel flames, risk real world violence against a community threatened by prejudice.
(Author is an IIT Graduate Engineer, living in the greater Los Angeles area. He is engaged in coaching youngsters interested in Hindu civilizational history, universal values, and their modern-day relevance.)
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