The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), a federal government commission, has publicly advocated for the imposition of sanctions against the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Commissioner Gene Mills stated that leaders of the organization should not be granted diplomatic courtesies or high-level meetings, even when they hold affiliations with the Indian government.

This recommendation arrives shortly before a planned visit to New York by Mohan Bhagwat, the Sarsanghchalak of the RSS. The USCIRF has previously expressed concerns regarding religious freedom in India, often citing the RSS in its annual reports as an organization that promotes an ideology of Hindu nationalism that impacts religious minorities. The RSS has historically denied these allegations, maintaining that it is a cultural organization focused on national character building.

While the USCIRF provides policy recommendations to the U.S. government, it does not have the authority to impose sanctions itself; that power rests with the executive branch and the Department of State. As of now, the U.S. government has not indicated whether it intends to act on the commission's specific recommendation regarding the RSS or Mr. Bhagwat’s visit.