Bangladesh Expresses Concern Over RSS Activities in India-20260525122814-9892

DHAKA, Bangladesh — The government of Bangladesh has formally expressed concern over the activities of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a right-wing Hindu nationalist organization in neighboring India, following a series of incidents that have heightened tensions along the border. In a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday, Dhaka urged New Delhi to take measures to prevent cross-border provocations that could undermine bilateral relations.

The statement came after reports emerged of RSS members allegedly making incendiary remarks against Bangladesh and its secular constitution during a rally in West Bengal last week. The comments, which included calls for a unified Hindu state, were widely circulated on social media, sparking outrage in Bangladesh. The foreign ministry called the remarks "deeply troubling" and said they contradicted the spirit of mutual respect and cooperation that has defined ties between the two South Asian nations.

"Bangladesh remains committed to peaceful coexistence and regional stability," the statement read. "We expect our friends in India to ensure that such divisive rhetoric does not emanate from within their borders, as it risks inflaming communal sentiments and harming the trust we have built over decades."

The RSS, founded in 1925, is the ideological parent of India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). While the organization operates primarily within India, its influence has often drawn scrutiny from Bangladesh, a Muslim-majority nation of over 170 million people. Historically, Dhaka has viewed certain fringe Hindu nationalist elements as a threat to its secular identity, especially given the shared 4,000-kilometer border that is porous and frequently used for smuggling and illegal migration.

Political analysts in Dhaka say the recent incident is not isolated. In 2022, Bangladesh summoned India's envoy after an RSS leader allegedly made derogatory remarks about the country's founding father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Tensions also flared in 2019 when RSS-affiliated groups were accused of spreading misinformation about alleged persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh, claims that Dhaka dismissed as baseless.

"The RSS has a long history of making inflammatory statements that resonate poorly in Bangladesh," said Dr. Ayesha Siddiqua, a professor of international relations at the University of Dhaka. "While India has a right to its internal political dynamics, the proximity of these groups to the border makes them a direct concern for Bangladesh's national security and social harmony."

On the international stage, the issue has drawn attention from human rights organizations and foreign diplomats. The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has called for restraint on both sides, urging dialogue to prevent escalation. Meanwhile, the United States, a key development partner for both countries, has privately encouraged India to address Bangladesh's concerns through diplomatic channels, according to sources familiar with the matter.

India's Ministry of External Affairs responded cautiously, stating that New Delhi values its relationship with Dhaka and would look into the specific allegations. However, Indian officials have also emphasized that the RSS is a non-governmental organization and that India's constitution guarantees freedom of speech, within legal limits.

For ordinary Bangladeshis, the RSS rhetoric touches on deeper anxieties about religious identity and sovereignty. In recent years, Bangladesh has seen a rise in Islamist militancy, but the government has also cracked down on secular activists, leading to accusations of a tilt toward conservatism. The RSS issue adds another layer of complexity, with some critics arguing that Dhaka is using the controversy to distract from domestic problems.

"The government is right to protest, but it must also ensure that its own secular principles are upheld at home," said Mohammad Ali, a columnist for the Daily Star in Dhaka. "We cannot fight Hindu nationalism abroad while allowing religious intolerance to grow here."

As the two nations prepare for a bilateral summit later this year, the RSS controversy threatens to overshadow discussions on trade, energy, and water sharing. Both sides have expressed a desire to resolve the matter amicably, but the path forward remains uncertain. For now, Bangladesh has called for an official explanation from India, while civil society groups in both countries have urged leaders to prioritize peace over polarization.