Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh on Sunday mounted a strong critique of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, accusing it of acting less like an independent socio-cultural body and more like a protective shield for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, which, he claimed, it has never publicly held to account.
Speaking to ANI, Singh argued that the ideological and organisational boundaries between the RSS and the BJP are effectively nonexistent. He asserted that the BJP was created by the RSS and said that members of the Sangh have repeatedly acknowledged their links with the ruling party, just as BJP leaders have openly admitted their association with the RSS.
Questioning the RSS’s repeated assertions of political neutrality, the AAP leader said he had never witnessed the organisation criticise the BJP, even in the face of serious allegations or controversies. He remarked that regardless of how grave the charges against the government might be, the Sangh has remained silent, which, in his view, exposes the hollowness of its claims of being above politics.
Taking his criticism further, Singh alleged that opposition parties across the country were being systematically targeted through investigations and legal cases, while the RSS chose not to intervene or raise objections. He claimed that parties were being split and opposition leaders harassed, yet the Sangh leadership, including its chief Mohan Bhagwat, had never publicly questioned or condemned such actions.
Singh also accused the BJP of welcoming leaders with questionable reputations into its ranks, alleging that some of the most corrupt figures had found a place in the party. Despite this, he said, the RSS continued to shield the BJP and defend its actions, reinforcing his claim that there was effectively no distinction between the two organisations.
According to Singh, the RSS has not only ignored what he described as the BJP’s “crimes” but has also actively worked to support the party during elections. He alleged that the Sangh functions as an election machinery for the BJP, while simultaneously projecting itself as a neutral cultural organisation.
His remarks came in response to recent comments by Bhagwat, who had said that viewing the RSS purely through a political lens was a fundamental misunderstanding. Addressing the ‘RSS 100 Vyakhyan Mala’ programme in Kolkata, Bhagwat argued that comparing the Sangh with political parties or reducing it to party affiliations leads to confusion about its true nature.
Elaborating on the RSS’s role, Bhagwat said its volunteers work across a wide range of fields, including politics, governance and social service, which often results in people misinterpreting its identity. To truly understand the organisation, he said, one must look beyond political comparisons and try to grasp the Sangh’s ethos and functioning from within.
