Bangladesh Expresses Concern Over RSS Activities Along Border-20260527095713-9194
Bangladesh has formally raised concerns with Indian authorities regarding the activities of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) near the shared border, diplomatic sources confirmed on Wednesday. The issue was discussed during a routine meeting of border security officials in Dhaka, where Bangladeshi representatives highlighted reports of cross-border movements and alleged inflammatory rhetoric by RSS members in adjacent Indian districts.
The development marks a rare public acknowledgment of tension between the two neighbors over the Hindu nationalist group, which has long been a point of contention in bilateral relations. Bangladesh, a Muslim-majority nation with a secular constitution, has historically viewed the RSS’s ideology as potentially destabilizing for its own religious harmony. Officials in Dhaka have emphasized that their concern is not with the RSS as an Indian organization but with its perceived influence on border communities.
“We have received multiple intelligence inputs suggesting that certain RSS-affiliated individuals are attempting to spread communal discord in border areas,” said a senior Bangladeshi home ministry official, speaking on condition of anonymity. “Our priority is to maintain peace and prevent any spillover effect.” The official added that Bangladesh had shared specific evidence with Indian counterparts, including intercepted communications and photographs of RSS members allegedly distributing pamphlets near the zero line.
India’s Border Security Force (BSF) has responded by stating that it will investigate the claims. A BSF spokesperson in New Delhi said, “We maintain close coordination with the Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) and take all inputs seriously. If any individual or group is found violating bilateral agreements, appropriate action will be taken.” The spokesperson declined to comment on the RSS specifically, noting that the group operates legally in India as a cultural organization.
The RSS, founded in 1925, has been described by scholars as the ideological parent of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). While it claims to focus on cultural revival, critics accuse it of promoting a Hindu supremacist agenda that marginalizes religious minorities. In Bangladesh, memories of the 1971 Liberation War—during which some RSS-linked groups were alleged to have collaborated with Pakistani forces—remain sensitive.
Political analysts in Dhaka suggest that the timing of the complaint is significant. Bangladesh is gearing up for national elections expected within the next year, and any perception of external interference could further polarize the electorate. “The government is walking a tightrope,” said Dr. Farida Akhtar, a political science professor at the University of Dhaka. “It must address public fears about RSS activities without escalating tensions with India, its largest trading partner and neighbor.”
On the international front, human rights organizations have taken note of the issue. Amnesty International issued a statement urging both governments to “ensure that border security measures do not become a pretext for suppressing legitimate political or cultural expression.” The organization also called for transparency in any joint investigations.
Meanwhile, RSS leaders in India have dismissed the Bangladeshi concerns as baseless. In a press conference in New Delhi, RSS spokesperson Sunil Ambekar said, “The RSS is a disciplined organization that respects the sovereignty of all nations. We have no interest in interfering in Bangladesh’s internal affairs.” Ambekar further accused “certain elements” of trying to create a rift between the two countries.
Despite the denials, the issue is unlikely to fade quickly. Bangladeshi border guards have been instructed to remain vigilant, and additional patrols have been deployed along the 4,096-kilometer frontier. For now, the ball is in India’s court to provide assurances that the RSS’s activities will not undermine the stability of its eastern neighbor.