Responses to Information Requests

Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada

1. Overview

Sources indicate that Sangh Parivar is an umbrella of "Hindu Nationalist" organizations (The Guardian 2022-09-20) or "Hindutva" groups (Hindutva Watch n.d). According to Encyclopaedia Britannica, Hindutva is an "ethno-nationalist political ideology that defines the cultural identity of India in terms of Hinduism and desires to make India an overtly Hindu nation-state" (2024-04-17). Sources indicate that the Sangh Parivar is comprised of "dozens" of organizations (US 2023-12-08, 2; NCCM & WSO 2023-03-01, 10) which share the Hindutva ideology (NCCM & WSO 2023-03-01, 10). In an interview with the Research Directorate and speaking on behalf of their organization, the Director of Research and Advocacy Campaigns at Hindus for Human Rights, a US-based non-profit organization which promotes human rights and "inclusive Hinduism" in South Asia and North America (Hindus for Human Rights n.d.), noted that the Sangh Parivar has a "very complicated and dense structure of hundreds" of organizations (Hindus for Human Rights 2024-02-27).

Sources indicate that the following organizations make up the Singh Parivar:

• The RSS (Professor Emeritus of International Studies 2024-03-02; Professor Emeritus of Commonwealth Studies 2024-02-21; Senior Lecturer 2024-02-25; Hindus for Human Rights 2024-02-27; NCCM & WSO 2023-03-01; Professor of Anthropology 2024-03-01; Professor of Political Science 2024-03-09);
• The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) (Professor Emeritus of International Studies 2024-03-02; Senior Lecturer 2024-02-25; Hindus for Human Rights 2024-02-27; NCCM & WSO 2023-03-01; Professor of Anthropology 2024-03-01; Professor of Political Science 2024-03-09);
• The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) (Professor Emeritus of International Studies 2024-03-02; Senior Lecturer 2024-02-25; Hindus for Human Rights 2024-02-27; NCCM & WSO 2023-03-01; Professor of Anthropology 2024-03-01; Professor of Political Science 2024-03-09);
• The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) (Professor Emeritus of International Studies 2024-03-02; Senior Lecturer 2024-02-25; Hindus for Human Rights 2024-02-27);
• The Bajrang Dal (Professor Emeritus of International Studies 2024-03-02; Senior Lecturer 2024-02-25; Hindus for Human Rights 2024-02-27);
• The Sewa Bharati (Hindus for Human Rights 2024-02-27; NCCM & WSO 2023-03-01);
• The Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) (Professor Emeritus of International Studies 2024-03-02);
• The Rashtra Sevika Samiti (Professor Emeritus of International Studies 2024-03-02);
• Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) (Hindus for Human Rights 2024-02-27; NCCM & WSO 2023-03-01).

Sources say the RSS is the principal organization of the Sangh Parivar (The Guardian 2022-09-20; NCCM & WSO 2023-03-01, 10; Professor of Anthropology 2024-03-01). Hindus for Human Rights notes that the RSS, BJP, Bajrang Dal, the network of charity organizations Sewa Bharati, and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) are among the "main" members of the Sangh Parivar (2024-02-27). An Al Jazeera article notes that the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and its youth wing the Bajrang Dal are both "far-right Hindu" groups that are part of the Sangh Parivar and are "affiliated with" the RSS (2023-06-13).

Hindus for Human Rights noted that although it is difficult to pinpoint the geographical presence of the Sangh Parivar and its member organizations, the Hindutva movement is spread across India; it has a "robust" presence in the northern states and has gained grounds in the southern states since Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power (2024-02-27). Other oral sources contacted by the Research Directorate similarly stated that the various organizations forming the Sangh Parivar are present throughout India (Professor of International Studies 2024-03-02; Professor of Commonwealth Studies 2024-02-21; Senior Lecturer 2024-02-25), particularly in northern and western India (Professor of International Studies 2024-03-02; Professor Emeritus of Commonwealth Studies 2024-02-21). In correspondence with the Research Directorate, an emeritus professor of international studies at Simon Fraser University in Canada who specializes in Indian politics and social policy added that the Sangh Parivar is also present in the centre of the country (Professor Emeritus of International Studies 2024-03-02). Oral sources stated that the Sangh Parivar is present to a lesser extent in the east and the south (Professor Emeritus of International Studies 2024-03-02; Professor of Political Science 2024-03-09) and is "somewhat weak" in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Kerala (Professor of Political Science 2024-03-09).

When asked by the Research Directorate about the size of the Sangh Parivar, a Professor of Anthropology at Stanford University in the United States who specializes in Hindu nationalism and Hindu-Muslim conflicts in India noted that the Sangh Parivar is currently "bigger than ever," but added that the group does not maintain a register of members and that the size of its membership is "unknown" (Professor of Anthropology 2024-03-01). In correspondence with the Research Directorate, an emeritus professor of Commonwealth studies at the University of London whose research focuses on politics in India stated that the RSS and its affiliated organizations have grown "markedly" since 2014 when the BJP and Prime Minister Modi came to power (Professor Emeritus of Commonwealth Studies 2024-02-21). In correspondence with the Research Directorate, a Senior Lecturer at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, whose research focuses on national identity, security, and domestic politics in China and India, mentioned that each of the member organizations of the Sangh Parivar are "highly organised" and have "millions" of members (Senior Lecturer 2024-02-25).

According to the Professor of Anthropology, the Sangh Parivar recruits in low-income neighbourhoods, in schools, and in caste networks where the organizations provide support such as education for poor families (2024-03-01). The Senior Lecturer similarly stated that the RSS's ability to "reverse shortfalls" of state services in areas such as education and health care, has made it "more prominent socially" over the last 10 years (2024-02-25).

2. Activities and Operation

A joint report by the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), a non-profit organization which promotes human rights and "Muslim civic engagement," and the World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO), an organization promoting the interests of Canadian Sikhs, notes that the Sangh Parivar provides "disaster relief, rehabilitation, and social services to the underprivileged both inside and outside of India," but adds that it does so within the "ideals of Hinduvta" through the Bharati, its humanitarian wing (2023-03-01, 17). The Guardian notes that Sangh Parivar "have set up schools, charities and clubs" (2022-09-20).

Sources report that Sangh Parivar organizations have been associated with "communal violence" (The Guardian 2022-09-20; NCCM & WSO 2023-03-01, 15). Hindus for Human Rights noted that because the Sangh Parivar network is "so diffuse," leaders of member organizations "at the higher level" can have "plausible deniability" for any violence committed by on-the-ground organizations (2024-02-27).

The Professor of Anthropology stated that "Hindutva" extends beyond the members of the Sangh Parivar and that past attacks on minorities, particularly on Muslims, were not necessarily carried out by members of the Sangh Parivar, but by Hindutva believers, which has allowed the Sangh Parivar's member organizations "full deniability of connections or responsibility" for those attacks (2024-03-01).

Sources note reports that two Christian women were publicly "sexually abused" by members of the Hindu Meitei community [amidst "ethnic violence" (HRW 2023-07-21) or "ethnic clashes" (Al Jazeera 2023-07-21)] in Manipur state (Al Jazeera 2023-07-21; HRW 2023-07-21). Media sources report that in February of 2020, more than 50 persons were "killed" when "violence" broke out in Delhi between BJP supporters [or both BJP and RSS supporters (The Caravan 2021-02-28)] and protestors against the Citizenship Amendment Act (The Caravan 2021-02-28; Al Jazeera 2021-01-08), with Al Jazeera noting that the victims were "mostly Muslims" (Al Jazeera 2021-01-08) and the Caravan indicating that 40 of the victims were Muslim (The Caravan 2021-02-28).

The Professor of International Studies indicated that members of both Muslim and Christian religious groups have been "increasingly" subjected to violence, "sometimes" at the hands of informally organized vigilante groups that are not part of the Sangh Parivar but are close to it (2024-03-02). The same source added that the different members of the Sangh Parivar share an ideology, but they have considerable autonomy and are not controlled by the RSS (Professor of International Studies 2024-03-02).

3. Ideology

According to the Frequently Asked Questions section of the RSS's website, the organization believes that India "belonged to the Hindus" since its inception and that the term Hindu is "not a religious or sectarian identity" but represents the "national identity of the people living in this country" (RSS 2017-06-03). The same source further states that anyone who holds the belief, compatible with the "Hindu World view," that "the Truth is one and can be expressed, told, described and attained and realized in different ways all leading to the One Supreme Reality," and who "accept[s] and respect[s] Bharat's history," "nurture[s] the country through their social values," and "make[s] sacrifices to protect these value system[s]," are "Hindus in the eyes of RSS" regardless of their "religious moorings and affiliations" (RSS 2017-06-03). A different webpage of the RSS explains, regarding their vision: "the political field too needs to be cleansed and reformed, based on Hindu values and ethos, but politics is just one among the many facets of social life" (2015-03-13). The same page states the following: "The aim of the Sangh is to organise the entire Hindu society, and not just to have a Hindu organisation within the ambit of this society" (RSS 2015-03-13).

According to Le Monde diplomatique, Hindutva is an "ethnonationalist movement" that focuses on the "make-up of the population and territory" instead of religion, and whose "followers regard India as a Hindu country" (2023-02). According to the Professor of Anthropology, the Sangh Parivar is built on conservative upper caste Hindu values and ideals of "masculinity" (2024-03-01).

The Professor of Anthropology noted that "roughly" since 2014, the Sangh Parivar has been close to institutions and individuals in the public sector (Professor of Anthropology 2024-03-01). According to the same source, individuals who gain employment with the help of the Sangh Parivar, whether they are members or not, become indebted to the organization, which results in "social control and monitoring of individuals" (Professor of Anthropology 2024-03-01).

4. Members
4.1 RSS

Sources indicate that the RSS was founded in 1925 (Australia 2023-09-29, para. 3.20; The Guardian 2022-09-20). The Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) adds in their 2023 country information report that the RSS is only open to men and has traditionally been "dominated by upper-caste Hindus" (Australia 2023-09-29, para. 3.20).

Sources indicate that the leader of the RSS is Mohan Bhagwat (RSS 2017-06-03; Le Monde diplomatique 2023-02; Mint 2024-04-28). Media sources report that the RSS has "at least" four million volunteers (The Guardian 2020-02-20) or a membership of "more than five million worldwide" (CBC 2023-03-01). According to the RSS website, the basic organizational unit of the RSS is the shakha, a daily meeting of members who are called swayamsevaks, that includes "physical exercise, singing patriotic chorus, group discussions on varied range of subjects and a prayer for [India]" (2017-06-03). Encyclopaedia Britannica indicates that the RSS presents itself as a cultural organization that is "structured hierarchically under the guidance of a national leader," and that its local branches fall under regional leadership (2024-01-27).

On its website, the RSS mentions that, "from the Sangh's perspective," there are 911 zilas, or districts, in India, and that it is active in 901 of these districts (2023-03-12). According to a 2022 article in the Times of India, an Indian English-language daily newspaper, the RSS is aiming to be present in every village in India by 2025 (2022-03-21). The article adds that over 500,000 volunteers have joined the RSS between 2017 and 2022 (Times of India 2022-03-21).

Sources indicate that the RSS was banned in India in 1948 after the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi by a member of the RSS (The Guardian 2022-09-20; Le Monde diplomatique 2023-02), and in 1975-1977 during a state of emergency under Indira Gandhi's government (Le Monde diplomatique 2023-02).

4.2 BJP

Sources report that the BJP is India's ruling party and is led by Narendra Modi (US 2023-12-08; Australia 2023-09-29, para. 2.5; The Guardian 2022-09-20). Encyclopaedia Britannica states that the BJP is a "pro-Hindu" political party which has "enjoyed broad support among members of the higher castes and in northern India" (2024-02-01). Sources state that the BJP is the "political wing" of the RSS (US 2023-12-08; The Guardian 2022-09-20; Australia 2023-09-29, para. 3.20) and is "right-leaning on social policy" (US 2023-12-08). Sources indicate that the BJP "advocates Hindu nationalism" (US 2023-12-08) or that they have a Hindu nationalist political agenda (The Guardian 2022-09-20; Australia 2023-09-29, para. 2.5).

According to the website of the BJP, Jagat Prakash Nadda is the party's National President and was the National Secretary of the ABVP in 1989 (BJP n.d). Sources report that Prime Minister Modi is "a longstanding RSS member" (Le Monde diplomatique 2023-02) or is a "lifelong" RSS member (US 2023-12-08). Sources also indicate that the BJP has 180 million members, making it the world's largest party (Reuters 2023-09-26; Times of India 2022-04-06).

4.3 Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP)

The US Department of State's International Religious Freedom Report for 2022 states that the VHP is a "Hindu nationalist organization" (US 2023-05-13, 18).

According to the DFAT 2023 report, the VHP was founded in 1964 and is affiliated with the RSS (Australia 2023-09-29, para. 3.21). In correspondence with the Research Directorate, a professor of political science at McGill University in Canada, whose research specializes in identity politics in India, stated that the VHP was created as a "transnational" organization to "build Hindu nationalist support" abroad (Professor of Political Science 2024-03-09). The same source added that the VHP is also present in India "to a significant extent," that it "rivals the RSS in its extremism," and that it participated in instances of "Hindu nationalist violence against Muslims" in 1992 and in 2002 (Professor of Political Science 2024-03-09). The DFAT report adds that VHP "is involved in renovation and construction of Hindu temples, campaigns against other religions proselytising, and political activism" (Australia 2023-09-29, para. 3.21).

4.4 Bajrang Dal

The DFAT 2023 report describes the Bajrang Dal as "the youth wing of the VHP" (Australia 2023-09-29, para. 3.22). The report adds that Bajrang Dal "has been active in campaigning against cow slaughter, Muslims marrying Hindus, and against proselytisation by other religions – including resorting to violence" (Australia 2023-09-29, para. 3.22).

An article by Wired, an American magazine that focuses on technology (Wired n.d.), indicates that Bajrang Dal is a "radical Hindu youth militia" created by the RSS (Wired 2020-04-14). ThePrint, a New Delhi-based online news organization, indicates that Bajrang Dal was formed by the VHP on 1 October 1984 to provide security for a religious procession but has since evolved into the "youth wing" of the VHP (2021-12-06). ThePrint adds that Bajrang Dal "claims" to have "more than" 4 million members nationwide, arranged into 52,000 distinct units (2021-12-06). In a 2022 interview with the Research Directorate, the Advocacy Director and the Policy Director of Hindus for Human Rights noted that the Bajrang Dal has groups and leaders in every state (Hindus for Human Rights 2022-03-31). The article by ThePrint adds that the Bajrang Dal's "influence is believed to be greatest in Madhya Pradesh, where it has around 15,000 units," and notes that it also has between 5,000 and 7,000 units in Rajasthan and Gujarat (2021-12-06).

4.5 Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS)

The websites of the HSS in the US and in Australia both state that their HSS branches are "independent" organizations that are "inspired" by the RSS (HSS USA n.d.; HSS Australia n.d.). However, sources indicate that the HSS is an arm of the RSS overseas (Truschke 2022-10-25; NCCM & WSO 2023-03-01) or in the US (Hindus for Human Rights 2024-02-27). Sources report that the HSS operates in about 40 countries (Al Jazeera 2022-11-03; The Nation 2023-04-06).

In correspondence with the Research Directorate, the Professor of Political Science stated that both transnational Hindu nationalist organizations and Indian embassies have "built increasing links" with a number of Indian cultural organizations abroad (Professor of Political Science 2024-03-09). The same source indicated that this provides Hindu nationalist groups with an "organized source" of information about those abroad engaged in activities "contrary to the Hindu nationalist vision" (Professor of Political Science 2024-03-09). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

4.6 Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP)

Sources indicate that the ABVP was established in 1948 and is ["probably" (Professor of International Studies 2024-03-02)] the world's "largest" student organization (Hindustan Times 2023-09-04; Professor of International Studies 2024-03-02). Sources mention that the ABVP is the student branch of the RSS (Professor of International Studies 2024-03-02; ThePrint 2023-12-26).

According to a 2023 article in ThePrint, 23 out of the 70 BJP ministers are from the ABVP (2023-12-26). Sources indicate that the ABVP has "influence" over the academic world (SCMP 2023-12-26; The Economic Times 2023-12-18) and in politics (SCMP 2023-12-26). Sources indicate that the ABVP has more than five million members (The Print 2023-12-26; SCMP 2023-12-26).

The 2023 Freedom House report states that members of the student wing of the RSS "have engaged in violence on campuses across the country" (Freedom House 2023-03-09, Sec. D3).

5. Communication Methods

On its website, the RSS states that a coordination meeting at the national level [Akhil Bharatiya Samanvay Baithak] of "key office bearers of various RSS inspired organisations" is held once a year (RSS 2022-09-01). Media sources indicate that 267 representatives from 36 RSS-linked organizations attended the 2023 annual coordination committee meeting (The Indian Express 2023-09-14; Hindustan Times 2023-09-15; Times of India 2023-09-15). The Professor of Anthropology mentioned that in addition to the annual meetings, member organizations of the Sangh Parivar have formal and informal ways to communicate and coordinate with one another (2024-02-01). The Professor added that the RSS is based on an "extensive network of pracharaks," full-time dedicated organizers who are the "backbone" of coordination and communication across the different organizations of the Sangh Parivar (Professor of Anthropology 2024-02-01). The RSS defines the pracharak as a person who is dedicated full time to "carry[ing] forward" the mission and objectives of the Sangh (RSS 2017-06-03).

Sources indicate that the BJP has created a large network of WhatsApp groups (Nizaruddin 2020-08-11, 3; Hindustan Times 2023-04-06), some of which extend "from booth level to block level and from ward level to district level" (Hindustan Times 2023-04-06).

Hindus for Human Rights stated that WhatsApp and Telegram communication platforms are "vastly and strategically" used by the Sangh Parivar member organizations to spread "misinformation and hate speech" (Hindus for Human Rights 2024-02-27).

6. Mobilization Efforts

A 2024 article in The Global Network on Extremism and Technology (GNET) [1] states that a commonality between the BJP and the Sangh Parivar is "their adept and early incorporation of digital technologies in furthering their cause" (GNET 2024-01-05). The Washington Post mentions that the BJP and "affiliated Hindu nationalist groups" have been using social media to "advance their ideology" for political motives (The Washington Post 2023-09-26). The Indian Express indicates that, according to a senior BJP leader, 42,000 WhatsApp groups and 4,000,000 booth-level workers were used to disseminate the BJP's election messaging in the Indian state Madhya Pradesh (The Indian Express 2023-12-04).

Media sources report that members of the Sangh and VHP planned a door-to-door nation-wide campaign in January 2024 to invite people to gather in their own local temples to mark the opening of a temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh (India TV 2024-01-11; The Indian Express 2023-12-26).

Hindus for Human Rights noted that WhatsApp and Telegram communication platforms "can be used" to communicate or spread messages across different member organizations (2024-02-27). The same source added that there is a coordinated central infrastructure behind the different groups of the Sangh Parivar, but it remains "shadowy" (Hindus for Human Rights 2024-02-27).

The Senior Lecturer mentioned that all Sangh Parivar organizations are mobilizing bodies—the BJP for politics, the ABVP for student affairs, the VHP concerning education and religious matters, and the Bajrang Dal during times of "communal violence and unrest" (2024-02-25).

7. Capacity to Track Individuals

In a 2021 article on interfaith relationships in north India, The Intercept, a nonprofit investigative journalism organization (The Intercept n.d.), reports that Hindu vigilantes in the state of Uttar Pradesh "typically learn about an interfaith relationship through local informants and then call the police to request cellphone surveillance of runaway couples" (The Intercept 2021-07-03). An article by the New York Times states that "[a]cross the country, vigilante groups have created a vast network of local informers, who tip off the police to planned interfaith marriages" (The New York Times 2021-07-20). When asked about the geographic reach of "Hindu nationalist vigilante groups," in an interview with the Research Directorate, a professor of sociology at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, who researches social identities, caste studies, and religious minorities, noted that they are "not nationwide" but appear "mostly" in regions where the BJP and "Hindu right politics is seeking to expand itself" and where they are attempting to find issues to "polarize" "Hindu-Muslim anxiety," including in states such as Karnataka, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh (Professor of sociology 2022-03-31). 

Hindus for Human Rights noted that even though members of the Sangh Parivar are non-state organizations, in times of "violence," there is a "convergence" between actors of the state and those organizations in order to track individuals (2024-02-27). The same source added that there have been reports of Indian police and local officials giving voter registration rolls and other lists of names and addresses to "Hindutva mobs" during instances of "anti-Muslim violence," such as the 2002 riots in Gujarat State (Hindus for Human Rights 2024-02-27). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

The Professor Emeritus of Commonwealth Studies noted that the Sangh Parivar is "well enough organized to have some capacity to track" individuals across India, but they are "greatly" helped by the BJP government (2024-02-21). The same source added that the BJP has "excessively, blatantly and often illegally used" government investigative resources to track and target individuals and organizations (Professor Emeritus of Commonwealth Studies 2024-02-21). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

The Senior Lecturer stated that the BJP government has control over the state intelligence and police services at the federal and state level; therefore, it is "logical to assume" that the RSS has the ability to access tracking data on individual citizens, if it so wishes (Senior Lecturer 2024-02-25). The Professor of Anthropology similarly stated that the BJP has control over the police and, consequently, so does the Sangh Parivar (Professor of Anthropology 2024-03-01).

The Professor of Anthropology noted that the Sangh Parivar uses "informal intelligence" to track and find persons through the "extensive network" of marital and social connections in the Indian community (2024-03-01). The same source added that the police "often" help in tracking individuals in interfaith relationships, either because the police have a "possible emotional affinity" with the Sangh Parivar, or because they are from the same caste as the Hindu party of the interfaith relationship (Professor of Anthropology 2024-03-01). The source also noted that the tracking of individuals is "very common and effective" in the northern and western parts of India where the Sangh Parivar has a "condensed network," but that it could also occur in the south (Professor of Anthropology 2024-03-01).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Note

[1] The Global Network on Extremism and Technology (GNET) is "an academic research initiative backed by the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism (GIFCT), an independent but industry-funded initiative for better understanding, and counteracting, terrorist use of technology" (GNET n.d). GIFCT comprises social media and e-commerce member companies, who collaborate to prevent the misuse of their platforms by "terrorists and violent extremists" (GIFCT n.d.).

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Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources: Associate Professor at an American university who specializes in international studies; Associate Professor at a Canadian university who specializes in politics and postcolonialism; Carnegie Endowment for International Peace; Human rights advocate who specializes in issues of marginalised communities and Dalit rights; New Delhi-based journalist who focuses on politics, religion, and human rights in South and Southeast Asia; Postdoctoral Fellow at an American university who specializes in caste, human rights, and social justice; Professor at a British university who specializes in Indian politics and sociology; Professor at an American university who specializes in political science and religious freedom; Professor at a Canadian university who specializes in comparative governance and politics; Professor at an Indian university who specializes in caste studies and religious minorities; Research Assistant at a Singaporean university who focuses on multifaith societies.

Internet sites, including: Agence France-Presse; Amnesty International; Asian News International; Bertelsmann Stiftung; BBC; CNN; Carnegie Endowment for International Peace; Council on Foreign Relations; The Diplomat; Factiva; The Hindu; International Crisis Group; Minority Rights Group International; New Delhi Television Limited; United Kingdom – Home Office; UN – Refworld; United States – Commission on International Religious Freedom; Voice of America.