RSS Friends registers with US govt to lobby, says it has oral agreement with RSS

As the Congress continues to question the absence of registration for the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in India, its affiliate has registered with the United States government while describing the RSS as an “unincorporated India-based body of individuals” with which it only has an oral agreement and no written contract. The organisation, called RSS Friends, has registered with the United States Department of Justice as a foreign agent of the RSS. RSS Friends registered with the Department of Justice under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) of 1938 on August 27, 2026. While RSS Friends lists a Georgia address for itself, it mentions the address of its ‘foreign principal’ RSS, at its headquarters in Delhi’s Keshav Kunj. The registration document describes RSS as an “unincorporated India-based body of individuals/voluntary association.” RSS is an acceptable foreign organisation under FARA “regardless of whether it is registered as a society, trust, company, or nonprofit under Indian law,” the registration statement by RSS Friends says. It says RSS is engaged in “Hindu cultural, social-service, educational, civic, and ideological activities”, and “organises local member groups and training programs, supports community-service and relief initiatives, and promotes the social and Hindu cultural philosophy.” It claims no links to any foreign government or foreign political party. The statement also declares that RSS Friends will not engage in any political activities on behalf of RSS. The registration statement also says that there is only an oral agreement between RSS Friends and RSS but no written contract. “RSS Friends does not have a written employment, consulting, lobbying, public-relations, or agency agreement with RSS containing specified deliverables, compensation, or detailed operational instructions. The absence of a written contract should not be understood as a representation that no relationship, request, understanding, coordination, authorisation, direction, or other relevant factual connection exists. RSS Friends will disclose the actual facts relevant to its activities,” the statement says.  The statement mentions the names of three individuals linked to RSS Friends – Rajendra Sonarikar, Jayant Pant, Pratik Kumar Suthar. The registration statement was filed just two days before a huge RSS rally was held at Madison Square Garden in New York on August 29, attended by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. The event, called “Universal Oneness Celebration”, was organised by the nonprofit American Hindus for Engagement and Dialogue (AHEAD). RSS Friends informed the US DoJ that its proposed activities are “primarily informational, educational, public-relations, and community-engagement activities.” Some of the activities it lists include “participating in discussions with researchers, scholars, think tanks,” and “correcting or responding to information that RSS Friends believes is inaccurate.”“Consistent with its governing documents and applicable law, it may communicate with members of the public, journalists, media organisations, researchers, academic and policy institutions, community leaders, civil-society organisations, and, where appropriate, government agencies or officials,” RSS Friends says.