Protest erupts near UK Parliament over RSS chief’s London visit

LONDON: A protest was held near the British Parliament during Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat’s visit to London, with demonstrators raising concerns about the organisation’s ideology and what they described as threats to minority rights in India.

According to reports cited by Pakistani and Indian media outlets, social activists gathered near Parliament House to voice opposition to Bhagwat’s visit and draw attention to the treatment of religious minorities in India.

The demonstration focused on the RSS, a Hindu nationalist organisation, and its ideological influence in Indian politics. Protesters accused the group of promoting an exclusionary form of nationalism and called for greater attention to minority rights.

The protest also targeted what demonstrators described as the British government’s silence regarding the RSS and its ideology. Participants urged policymakers and the wider international community to scrutinise the organisation’s activities and their potential impact on social cohesion.

One of the most prominent themes raised during the demonstration was the 2002 Gujarat violence. Protesters called for the killings and suffering associated with the violence not to be forgotten, while urging people to remain united against what they described as fascist and extremist ideologies.

The demonstration comes amid continuing international debate over Hindu nationalism and its impact on India’s diverse religious communities. Supporters of the RSS and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), however, have consistently rejected allegations that the organisation represents an extremist agenda, while critics continue to raise concerns about minority protections.

Bhagwat’s overseas activities have previously attracted scrutiny from activists and political figures. The reports cited in the original account also referred to calls in the United States for restrictions on his entry, while some Canadian parliamentarians have raised concerns about the presence of Hindu nationalist organisations and their potential impact on social tensions.

The London protest highlights how India’s domestic political and ideological debates increasingly extend beyond its borders. Demonstrations involving Indian political and social issues have become a feature of diaspora communities in several Western countries, where supporters and critics of Indian nationalism frequently clash over questions of identity, religious freedom and minority rights.

For protesters in London, Bhagwat’s visit provided an opportunity to bring those concerns directly to the attention of British lawmakers and the public.

As debates over Hindu nationalism continue internationally, the demonstration near Parliament is likely to add further attention to the RSS chief’s overseas engagements and the wider discussion surrounding minority rights in India.