After unity pitch in US, RSS chief praises India's asylum policy in Canada: 'Came as aggressors, but still thrive' | India News - Hindustan Times

**RSS chief lauds Canada’s asylum record during US tour** New York – While on a three‑day outreach tour of North America, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat addressed a gathering of Indian diaspora organisations in New York, praising Canada’s historical willingness to receive refugees. Referring to the “legacy of refuge and global service” that India once offered, Bhagwat highlighted recent Canadian policies that, in his view, allow individuals who arrived “as aggressors” to “still thrive” in Canadian society. The remarks were part of a broader “unity pitch” aimed at consolidating support among overseas Hindus and countering narratives that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) promotes an exclusionary brand of Hindutva.

Bhagwat’s comments sparked a swift reaction from Indian opposition parties, who accused the RSS of attempting to re‑brand its image abroad while ignoring domestic concerns over minority rights. Critics in Delhi and New Delhi‑based media outlets argued that the leader’s praise of Canada’s asylum approach could be read as a subtle indictment of India’s own refugee handling, especially in light of recent controversies over the treatment of Rohingya and Afghan migrants. The Indian Express and The Hindu reported that several opposition lawmakers called for a parliamentary debate on the RSS’s overseas messaging, warning that such statements could fuel communal tensions at home.

In Canada, officials from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) welcomed the endorsement but cautioned that “policy effectiveness must be judged on outcomes, not rhetoric.” A spokesperson noted that Canada continues to process asylum claims under strict security and humanitarian criteria, and that recent increases in claims from South‑Asian nationals are being examined within that framework. Meanwhile, Indian diplomatic channels reiterated that India‑Canada ties remain “strong and collaborative,” with both governments committed to addressing migration challenges through bilateral dialogue. The episode underscores the delicate balance the RSS seeks to strike between projecting a global, inclusive Hindu identity and navigating the political realities of India’s multicultural democracy.