From New York to Nairobi: Mapping the RSS’s global network

NEW YORK (MNTV) — RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s appearance at Madison Square Garden on August 29 has renewed scrutiny of the Hindu supremacist organization’s international footprint.

Bhagwat addressed the “Universal Oneness Celebration” in New York during a US visit that is part of a wider outreach tour covering the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

The research compilation supplied for this story, based on Felix Pal and Christophe Jaffrelot’s Seeing the Sangh project, maps organizations described as affiliated with or linked to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and its wider network.

The list spans formal RSS-linked bodies such as Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Overseas Friends of the BJP, alongside student groups, temples, charities, advocacy organizations, foundations and community bodies.

The compilation contains 268 listed entries across seven regional groupings. Europe has 51 listed entries, Russia 1, Africa 14, Australia and New Zealand 36, East Asia 28, the Middle East 4, and the Americas 134.

The Americas section comprises 112 entries in the US, 14 in Canada, four in Suriname and four in Guyana.

The organizations do not all have the same type or strength of relationship with the Sangh. Some are direct overseas branches of RSS affiliates such as Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), while others operate as fundraising, charitable, educational, youth, religious, cultural, professional or political organizations.

The research identifies connections through a range of indicators, including organizations describing themselves as part of the Sangh, being founded by Sangh organizations or pracharaks, sharing officials, receiving or transferring funds, co-hosting programs and conferences, hosting RSS or Sangh Parivar speakers, using Sangh terminology or symbols, and campaigning for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

In some cases, organizations are described as sister organizations, wings or projects of established Sangh bodies.

The researchers classify relationships with different levels of confidence, including conclusive, probable and possible, while some organizations are listed as linked without a separate rating.

Europe — 51 listed entries

Finland (1)

• Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (Finland) / HSS Finland

Norway (2)

• Vishwa Hindu Parishad (Norway) / VHPN
• Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (Norway) / HSS Norway

Sweden (3)

• Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (Sweden) / HSS Sweden
• Sewa Sweden
• Overseas Friends of the BJP (Sweden)

Denmark (2)

• Overseas Friends of the BJP (Denmark)
• Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (Denmark) / HSS Denmark

Ukraine (1)

• Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (Ukraine) / HSS Ukraine

Germany (4)

• Vishwa Hindu Parishad (Germany)
• Hindu Verein
• Overseas Friends of the BJP (Germany)
• Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (Germany) / HSS Germany

Netherlands (4)

• Overseas Friends of the BJP (Netherlands)
• Vishva Hindu Parishad Netherland
• Hindoe Raad / Hindu Council of the Netherlands
• Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (Netherlands) / HSS Netherlands

Europe (1)

• Hindu Forum of Europe

France (2)

• Overseas Friends of the BJP (France)
• Indian Gujarati Cultural Association, Paris / IGCA

Italy (1)

• Italian Hindu Union – Sanatana Dharma Sangha / Unione Induista Italia

Spain (1)

• Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (Spain) / HSS Spain

United Kingdom (29)

• Bharatiya Yuvak Sangh UK
• Aarogyam (UK)
• Chetak Magazine
• Indian National Students Association-UK
• Samskrita Bharati UK
• Friends of India Society International (UK)
• Hindu Education Forum
• Bolton Hindu Forum
• Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (UK)
• Hindu Sahitya Kendra (UK)
• Hindu Sevika Samiti (UK)
• Women’s Economic and Social Think Tank / WESTT
• Bhaarat Welfare Trust / BWT India Aid
• British Hindu Voice / BHV
• Sewa International (UK) / Sewa UK
• Hindu Council UK / HCUK
• Vishwa Hindu Parishad (UK) / VHP UK
• Vichaar Manthan
• National Hindu Students Forum / NHSF
• National Council of Hindu Temples / NCHTUK
• Vishwa Hindu Kendra Temple Southall / Vishwa Hindu Kendra Southall
• Hindu Forum of Britain / HFB
• Overseas Friends of the BJP (UK)
• Hindu Lawyers Association / HLA
• Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation of UK / EVF UK
• Maa Charity Trust
• Param Shakti Peeth of UK
• Kalyan Ashram Trust UK / KAT
• Bengali Hindu Adarsha Sangha / BHAS

Russia — 1 listed entry

Russia (1)

• Overseas Friends of the BJP

Africa — 14 listed entries

South Africa (2)

• Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (South Africa)
• Vishwa Hindu Parishad (South Africa)

Zambia (2)

• Zambia Hindu Association/ Hindu Association of Zambia
• Vishwa Hindu Parishad (Zambia)

Tanzania (1)

• Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (Tanzania)/ Bharatiya Swayamsevak Sangh

Kenya (5)

• Hindu Council of Africa/ All Africa Hindu Conference
• Hindu Council of Kenya
• Overseas Friends of the BJP (Kenya)/ Overseas Friends of Bharatiya Janata Association of Kenya
• Hindu Religious & Service Centre/
• Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (Kenya)

Uganda (2)

• Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (Uganda)
• Sewa International (Uganda)/ Sewa Uganda

Nigeria (1)

• Sewa International (Nigeria)/ Sewa International Philanthropy Nigeria

Liberia (1)

• Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (Liberia)

Australia and New Zealand — 36 listed entries

Australia (29)

• Hindu Social Services Foundation
• Vedic and Cultural Centre of Australia (VCCA)
• Overseas Friends of the BJP (Australia)
• Hindu Council of Australia (HCA)
• Hindu Youth Australia
• Vishwa Hindu Parishad (Australia)
• Sree Narayan Mission Perth Inc
• Sewa International (Australia)
• Sewa Australia
• Sri Om Adi Shakti
• Ramcharitmanas Institute / Sri Ramcharitmanas Institute
• School of Vedic Sciences / Sydney Sanskrit School
• Veerashaiva Samaj of Asia Pacific (VSAP)
• Sydney Shirdi Sai Sansthan
• Friends of India Australia
• Nepalese Hindu Society of Australia
• Sydney Sri Ayyappa Swami Centre Inc
• Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (Australia)
• Global Organisation of Divinity
• Sydney Veda Patasala
• Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation of Australia (EVF AUS)
• Hindu Education and Cultural Centre
• Australian Hindu Multicultural Association Inc (AHMA)
• The Melbourne Vinayagar Hindu Sangam
• Kerala Hindu Society Melbourne
• Hindu Society of South Australia
• Hindu Elders Foundation
• Hindu Helpline (Australia)
• Hindu Society of Northern Territory

New Zealand (7)

• Hindu Youth New Zealand
• Overseas Friends of the BJP (New Zealand)
• New Zealand Hindu Students Forum
• Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (New Zealand)
• Sewa International (New Zealand)
• Hindu Council of New Zealand (HCNZ) / Vishwa Hindu Parishad (New Zealand)
• Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation of New Zealand (EVF NZ)

East Asia — 28 listed entries

Indonesia (2)

• World Hindu Parishad (Indonesia)
• Kesatuan Mahasiswa Hindu Dharma Indonesia

Malaysia (4)

• World Hindu Council (Malaysia)
• Malaysian community organisation
• Malaysia Hindu Dharma Maamandram
• Overseas Friends of the BJP (Malaysia)

Singapore (1)

• Vivekananda Seva Sangh

Cambodia (1)

• Sanatan Sanskar Meditation Kendra

Thailand (5)

• Hindu Dharma Sabha
• Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation of Thailand
• Geeta Ashram
• Vishwa Hindu Parishad Association (Thailand)
• Overseas Friends of the BJP (Thailand)

Burma (Myanmar) (7)

• Hindu Sevika Samiti (Myanmar)
• All Myanmar Gorkha Hindu Dharmik Sangh
• Sanatana Dharma Swayamsevak Sangh
• All Myanmar Hindu Central Council
• Hindu Dharm Shiksha Samiti
• Hindu Youth Society
• Hindu Families Relief Group (Myanmar)

Hong Kong (3)

• Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (Hong Kong)
• Overseas Friends of the BJP (Hong Kong)
• Vishwa Hindu Parishad (Hong Kong)

Taiwan (1)

• Vishwa Hindu Parishad (Taiwan)

Philippines (3)

• Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (Philippines)
• Overseas Friends of BJP (Philippines)
• Vishva Hindu Parishad (Philippines)

Japan (1)

• Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (Japan)

Middle East — 4 listed entries

Kuwait (1)

• Seva Darshan Kuwait

Bahrain (1)

• Science International Forum, Bahrain / SIF Bahrain

United Arab Emirates (1)

• Science India Forum (UAE) / SIF UAE

Israel (1)

• Overseas Friends of BJP Israel / OFBJP wing of Israel

Americas — 134 listed entries

USA (112)

• FACT USA
• India Development and Relief Fund
• Hindu American Seva Communities
• Overseas Friends of the BJP (USA)
• American Hindu Coalition
• DBM Family Foundation
• American Hindus Against Defamation
• Sewa Diwali
• Hindus Advancing Human Rights Internationally
• Ram Janma Bhoomi Shilanyas Celebrations Committee of USA
• Hindu International Council Against Defamation
• Friends of India Society International (USA)
• Forum for Global Leadership of India
• Hindu Education Foundation
• Hindu American Vanaprasthi Network
• Hindu Mandir Executives Conference
• Hindu YUVA
• Hindu Women’s Network
• Hindu Women’s Network
• Indians for Democracy
• Global Hindu Electronic Network
• Hindu Mandir Priests Conference
• Hindu Mahasabha of America
• Indian American Community Foundation
• Hindu on Campus
• Seva in America
• Spiritual Science Research Foundation
• Hindu Gift of Life
• Indian Circle for Caring
• Americans for Equality PAC
• Indo American Kashmir Forum
• Namo NYC
• Balagokulam (USA)
• Coalition of Hindu Youth
• HinduPACT
• Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America
• Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation of USA
• Sewa International (USA)
• Hindu American Political Action Committee
• Sri Meenakshi Temple Society
• World Hindu News
• Hindus of Greater Houston
• Keshav Smruti
• Bhutada Family Foundation
• Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana USA
• Hindu Society of America
• Texas India Forum
• Subhash and Sarojini Gupta Charitable Foundation
• Sri Meenakshi Temple Society
• Hindu Charity Trust of Texas
• Hindu Charities for America
• The Vedic Foundation
• Sanatana Dharma Foundation
• Global Hindu Heritage Foundation
• Agarwal Family Foundation
• Param Shakti Peeth of America
• Global Hindu Foundation Inc
• Federation of Hindu Associations
• American Hindu Federation
• Dharma Civilization Foundation
• Kerala Hindus of North America
• Uberoi Foundation for Religious Studies
• Ambedkar-Phule Network of American Dalits and Bahujans
• Bay Area Vaishnav Parivar
• California Parents for the Equalization of Educational Materials
• Bharati Tamil Sangam
• Americans4Hindus
• Tulasi Bai Somani Educational Fund
• US India Friendship Council
• Republican Hindu Coalition
• Tulsabai Somani Educational Trust Award
• Hindu Society of Minnesota
• Hindu University of America
• Deshpande Family Foundation
• Global Foundation for Civilisational Harmony / Global Foundation for Civilization Harmony
• Hindu American PAC of Florida
• Agrawal Family Foundation
• Support a Child USA
• World Hindu Foundation of America
• Sri Venkateswara temple and Cultural Center
• Sri Sharadamba Temple / SVBF North
• Arya Pratinidhi Sabha America
• Hindu American Foundation
• Forum for Hindu Awakening
• Infinity Foundation
• World Hindu Council Inc
• Hindu Collective Initiative of North America
• Educators Society for the Heritage of India
• Hindu Students Council
• Girls Play Global
• Indian Business Association
• National Alliance of Indian Organizations
• Kashmiri Overseas Association USA
• Krishnamurthy Tandon Foundation
• Indian American Intellectual Forum
• Arsha Vidya Gurukalam
• Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (USA)
• Hindu American PAC of NY
• Atma Vidya Ashram
• Global Indians for Bharat Vikas
• Akhand Param Dham of America
• United States Hindu Alliance
• Global Indian Business Council
• Asian American Hotel Owners Association
• Coalition of Hindus of North America
• World Association for Vedic Studies
• Hindus of Georgia/Hindus of Georgia PAC
• Puran Devi Aggarwal Family Foundation
• Aggarwal & Gupta Family Foundation Inc
• Bharat Swabhiman Overseas
• Patanjali Yogpeeth Foundation Inc
• Hindu Heritage Youth Camp

CANADA (14)

• Param Shakti Peeth of Canada
• Canada India Foundation
• Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation of Canada
• Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (Canada)
• Vishwa Hindu Parishad (Canada)
• Dwarapalakas
• Hindu Institute of Learning / Hindu Vidya Mandir
• Hindu Forum Canada
• Sewa Canada International Aid/ Sewa International (Canada)
• Overseas Friends of the BJP (Canada)/ Canada India Global Forum
• Hindu Society of Ottawa-Carleton
• Indo-Canadian Community Centre
• Friends of India Society International (Canada)
• Hindu Sevika Samiti (Canada)

Suriname (4)

• Sewa International Suriname
• Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (Suriname)
• Hindu Sevika Samiti Suriname
• Vishwa Hindu Parishad (Suriname)

Guyana (4)

• Hindu Sevika Samiti (Guyana)
• Vishwa Hindu Parishad (Guyana)
• HSS Guyana
• Saraswati Vidya Niketan