Bangladesh Expresses Concern Over RSS Activities Near Border-20260524122638-3295

Bangladesh has formally raised concerns with Indian authorities regarding the activities of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in regions adjacent to the shared border, diplomatic sources confirmed on Tuesday. The move comes amid heightened scrutiny of the Hindu nationalist organization’s outreach programs in border districts, which Dhaka fears could stoke communal tensions and disrupt bilateral stability.

In a diplomatic note delivered to the Indian High Commission in Dhaka, the Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs cited reports of RSS-affiliated groups distributing pamphlets and holding meetings in Indian states such as West Bengal and Assam, areas with significant Muslim populations. The note emphasized that while Bangladesh respects India’s internal affairs, any cross-border implications must be avoided to maintain the spirit of peaceful coexistence.

“Bangladesh values its relationship with India, but we cannot ignore activities that may undermine communal harmony in our region,” a senior official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told reporters on condition of anonymity. The official added that Dhaka has requested New Delhi to monitor the RSS’s border activities and ensure they do not inflame religious sentiments.

The development follows a series of incidents over the past year, including alleged inflammatory speeches by RSS leaders near the border that were shared on social media platforms, drawing criticism from Bangladeshi civil society groups. In December 2024, a video surfaced showing an RSS functionary in West Bengal calling for the “reclamation” of territories that are part of modern-day Bangladesh, sparking outrage in Dhaka.

Bangladesh’s Home Ministry has also been tracking the movement of suspected RSS operatives across the border, though officials declined to provide specific numbers. “We are monitoring the situation closely, and our border security forces have been instructed to remain vigilant,” a Home Ministry spokesperson said.

The RSS, founded in 1925, is a right-wing Hindu nationalist organization that has long been a subject of controversy in India and abroad. While the group describes itself as a cultural and volunteer organization focused on character-building, critics accuse it of promoting a majoritarian Hindu agenda that excludes minorities, particularly Muslims. In Bangladesh, where Muslims make up over 90% of the population, any perceived threat to religious harmony is taken seriously.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs has not yet issued an official response to Bangladesh’s concerns. However, diplomatic observers note that New Delhi is likely to tread carefully, given the importance of its relationship with Dhaka on issues ranging from trade to counterterrorism. India and Bangladesh share a 4,096-kilometer border, one of the longest in the world, and cooperate closely on security matters.

Analysts suggest that the RSS issue could become a testing point for the bilateral ties, especially as both nations navigate complex domestic politics. “Bangladesh is not alone in its concerns,” said Dr. Farid Uddin Ahmed, a political analyst at the University of Dhaka. “The RSS’s growing influence in border areas has also alarmed other neighbors, and Dhaka’s move could encourage a broader regional dialogue.”

Meanwhile, human rights organizations have urged both governments to address the issue transparently. “Freedom of expression is important, but it must not come at the cost of inciting violence or hatred,” said a spokesperson for the Bangladesh Human Rights Commission. The commission has recommended that both countries establish a joint mechanism to monitor cross-border communal rhetoric.

As the situation unfolds, Bangladesh remains focused on ensuring internal stability. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government has reiterated its commitment to secularism and communal harmony, principles enshrined in the country’s constitution. For now, Dhaka’s diplomatic push signals that it will not hesitate to raise uncomfortable issues with its largest neighbor, even as it seeks to preserve a partnership that has yielded significant economic and security dividends.