India’s RSS Faces Fresh Accusations Over Christian Persecution

A leader within India’s influential Hindu nationalist volunteer organization, the RSS, recently addressed claims of religious intolerance during a visit to Washington.

Dattatreya Hosabale dismissed international concerns that his group promotes Hindu supremacy or targets the Christian minority within the country.

Despite these denials, international watchdogs and Christian leaders point to a sharp rise in violence and legal pressure against the faithful in India.

Reports indicate that many believers face daily threats from those seeking to enforce a singular religious identity on the nation.

“The narrative that has built over decades — knowingly, unknowingly or as part of [an] agenda… is that RSS is Hindu supremacist, or that it is in any way anti-Christian,” Hosabale stated.

“The Hindu philosophy and Hindu culture doesn’t tolerate supremacism, because we see that the whole world is one family,” he added during the interview.

Faith Facts

• India currently ranks 12th on the Open Doors World Watch List 2026, indicating high levels of Christian persecution.
• The United Christian Forum reported that 2025 was the most violent year for Christians in India since the nation’s independence in 1947.
• The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has recommended that India be designated as a Country of Particular Concern for seven consecutive years.

As believers in India face increasing pressure to abandon their faith, we must stand in prayer for our brothers and sisters in Christ.

True freedom of conscience is a fundamental human right that must be protected against all forms of nationalist aggression.

Leader of Hindu nationalist RSS denies anti-Christian claims