India's RSS Marks Centennial Amid Minority Rights Concerns

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), marking its 100th anniversary, remains a powerful Hindu ultranationalist organization in India, closely linked to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party. The group promotes "Hindutva," a belief that equates Hindu identity with Indian nationalism, often at the expense of minorities like Muslims, Sikhs, and Christians. The RSS-affiliated student wing, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), has been associated with acts of intimidation and violence on campuses, undermining democratic values such as freedom of thought and expression. These developments reflect a broader political and moral shift in India since 2014, with increased polarization and suppression of dissent. Critics argue that the RSS and its affiliates foster an environment where aggression replaces dialogue, eroding the pluralistic spirit of India’s educational institutions. Supporters, meanwhile, view the RSS as a source of national pride and unity among Hindus.