‘RSS Friends’ registers in U.S. to step up outreach, correct inaccuracies

You don’t have any Active Subscription.

Account subscription benefits alongside Premium Stories, Editorials, Opinions and more. Unlock these with Subscription

A group of RSS well-wishers has registered with the U.S. Department of Justice as a foreign agent of the organisation, aiming to step up outreach in the U.S.

The RSS Friends, which provided a Georgia address in the registration document, listed Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Keshavkunj, New Delhi as its “foreign principal”.

The RSS Friends registered with the Department of Justice under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) on August 27.

Correcting or responding to information that RSS Friends believes is inaccurate, incomplete, or lacking relevant context is also listed among proposed activities.

“RSS Friends does not have a written employment, consulting, lobbying, public-relations, or agency agreement with RSS containing specified deliverables, compensation, or detailed operational instructions,” the group said.

It said the absence of a written contract should not be understood as a representation that no relationship, request, understanding, coordination, authorisation, direction, or other relevant factual connection exists.

“RSS Friends will disclose the actual facts relevant to its activities,” it said.

The group said its proposed activities are primarily informational, educational, public-relations, and community engagement activities.

“Consistent with its governing documents and applicable law, it may communicate with members of the public, journalists, media organisations, researchers, academic and policy institutions, community leaders, civil-society organisations, and, where appropriate, government agencies or officials,” the group said.

It described the RSS as an India-based volunteer and social cultural organisation.

“The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is an unincorporated India-based body of individuals/voluntary association,” it said.

RSS Friends lists Rajendra Sonarikar, Jayant Pant and Devananda Gaddam as its Board of Directors.

Organising or participating in educational, cultural, community, or informational events; communicating, when appropriate and consistent with applicable law, with administrative entities, public agencies, or policymakers regarding factual information or perspectives concerning RSS or matters relevant to the organisation’s stated purposes is listed among the group’s proposed activities.

The registration of RSS Friends was submitted two days before RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s outreach programme Universal Oneness Celebration at New York’s Madison Square Garden on August 29.

The event was organised by American Hindus for Engagement and Dialogue (AHEAD) Forum.

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.

We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of The Hindu and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.