FARA registration: RSS Friends lists Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh as foreign principal in US filing

A group of RSS well-wishers in the United States has filed under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, or FARA. The filing seeks to expand outreach work linked to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. The group is named RSS Friends and gave a Georgia address in its paperwork. It named Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Keshavkunj, New Delhi as its foreign principal.

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The registration was submitted to the US Department of Justice on August 27. It came two days before an RSS outreach programme in New York. That event, called Universal Oneness Celebration, took place at Madison Square Garden on August 29. The programme was led by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. It was organised by American Hindus for Engagement and Dialogue AHEAD Forum.

RSS Friends FARA registration and listed foreign principal

In the filing, RSS Friends described RSS as an India-based volunteer and social cultural organisation. It also stated that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh RSS is an unincorporated India-based body of individuals/voluntary association. The document set out a plan to increase public-facing engagement in the US. It also included steps to address information the group sees as incomplete.

Correcting or responding to information that RSS Friends believes is inaccurate, incomplete, or lacking relevant context is also listed among proposed activities. The group said its proposed activities are primarily informational, educational, public-relations, and community engagement activities. It also listed organising or taking part in educational, cultural, community, or informational events as part of the plan.

RSS Friends FARA activities, contacts, and communications

RSS Friends said it may reach out to a wide set of audiences under its rules. 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, the group said.

The filing also referred to engagement with policymakers in limited cases. Communicating, when appropriate and consistent with applicable law, with administrative entities, public agencies, or policymakers regarding factual information or perspectives concerning RSS or matters relevant to the organisations stated purposes is listed among the groups proposed activities.

RSS Friends FARA filing on relationship and agreements

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 group said. It said 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.

The group said it would provide clarity about what it does and why. RSS Friends will disclose the actual facts relevant to its activities, it said. The filing also listed key people linked to the organisation’s management. RSS Friends lists Rajendra Sonarikar, Jayant Pant and Devananda Gaddam as its Board of Directors.

The FARA registration sets out RSS Friends’ stated purpose, planned activities, and key officeholders. The timeline also links the filing to a larger RSS-related outreach moment in New York. The documents describe the RSS and name New Delhi as the foreign principal’s address. The group’s stated work focuses on information, education, community events, and public communication.

With inputs from PTI