RSS

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), founded in 1925 by Keshav Baliram Hedgewar in Nagpur, India, is a Hindu nationalist organization that promotes the ideology of Hindutva and cultural nationalism. It is one of the largest voluntary organizations globally, with an extensive network across India and among the Indian diaspora. The RSS envisions a strong, united Hindu society, playing a significant role in shaping India's socio-political discourse.

Functioning through shakhas (branches), the RSS emphasizes discipline, social service, and cultural education. It operates through a network of affiliated organizations collectively known as the Sangh Parivar, which includes the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), its political arm, along with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). Many BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have had active associations with the RSS, underlining its influence on Indian politics. While the RSS positions itself as a social and cultural organization, its impact on Hindu nationalist policies, such as those related to education, temple construction, and national security, is evident.

Supporters of the RSS commend its efforts in promoting cultural pride, social welfare, and national unity, while critics often argue that it fosters majoritarianism and religious intolerance. The organization’s role in socio-political movements, such as the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and campaigns for cow protection, has made it a significant player in India’s right-wing landscape.

In October 2024, BOOM fact-checked a viral claim suggesting that an attack on RSS workers in Jaipur, Rajasthan, was communal in nature.

Jaipur Commissionerate's ACP Kuwar Rastradeep confirmed to BOOM that both the attackers and the victims were Hindus, dismissing any communal motive behind the incident, debunking the false claim.