London – 6 September 2026: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat’s recent visit to the historic Khalsa Jatha British Isles Gurdwara in London has sparked profound outrage among UK-based Sikh organizations. The visit, which took place during Bhagwat’s overseas outreach tour encompassing the US, Canada, and the UK, has been heavily criticized by the Sikh Federation (UK) as a “secretive and politically charged meeting” held without the presence of the broader congregation (Sangat).
While BJP Rajya Sabha MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney described the RSS chief’s visit to the 1908-built Gurdwara as a “meaningful interaction” with the British Sikh community, the Sikh Federation (UK) issued a strong condemnation. In a public statement, the Federation accused the Gurdwara’s trustees of a “serious breach of trust” and a “profound failure of stewardship” for hosting a private gathering for Bhagwat, demanding an apology and explanation.
Deep Concerns Over RSS Ideology
The core of the backlash centers on the RSS’s long-standing ideological history. The Sikh Federation highlighted the organization’s roots in majoritarian Hindu nationalism and its exclusionary politics, which they state have normalized hostility toward religious minorities in India, including Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, and Dalits. The Federation also referenced the temporary 1948 ban on the RSS following the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi to underscore its historically controversial nature.
For the Sikh community, the grievance is fundamentally tied to historical and political identity. The Federation noted that the RSS and its affiliates have repeatedly promoted a narrative that assimilates Sikhs into a broader Hindu civilization. This “assimilationist approach,” the group stated, is actively rejected by Sikhs as a deliberate effort to dilute Sikh sovereignty, erase community memory, and deny their separate religious identity, scriptures, and institutions.
Call for Accountability and Transparency
Bhai Amrik Singh, Chair of the Sikh Federation (UK) Strategy Board, emphasized that the RSS is “not a normal religious or cultural organisation,” but rather an ideological movement that has repeatedly fueled division and intimidation.
“Secretly hosting the RSS leader at a Gurdwara when Sangat were not present who would express opposition sends the wrong message to Sikhs in the UK and to vulnerable communities in India,” Singh stated. He added that Gurdwaras should serve as places of refuge, dignity, and unity, rather than platforms for legitimizing organizations associated with intolerance. The Federation further alleged that the visit demonstrates the undue influence of individuals with friendly ties to the Indian High Commission over the management of the Khalsa Jatha Gurdwara.
The Sikh Federation (UK), through Lead Executive Jaspal Singh, concluded by urging civic and religious institutions across the UK to exercise severe caution. Amid growing international concerns over the treatment of minorities and shrinking space for dissent in India, the Federation called on public figures to stand with communities affected by political intimidation rather than normalizing extremist majoritarian politics.
