THE Global Human Rights Federation (GHRF) has expressed serious concern over the recent call by Muslim humanitarian movement Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organisation (MAPIM) to ban the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) by alleging that its “so-called Hindutva-linked influences are infiltrating Malaysia”.
Such claim over the Indian right-wing Hindu nationalist volunteer paramilitary organisation.is not only unfounded but risk driving a wedge between Malaysia and India which is one of its closest strategic partners, according to GHRF president S. Shashi Kumar.
“Even worse, they’re once again putting Malaysia’s Indian minority under unnecessary suspicion,” lamented the human rights activist.
“We should be uniting Malaysians across faiths and ethnicities, not pushing communities further apart. This narrative – built on vague fears rather than facts – has the potential to divide us at home and damage diplomacy abroad.”
MAPIM had on Wednesday (May 14) urged Putrajaya to immediately ban any activities, networks and funding related to RSS which it deemed as “the ideological backbone of Hindutva extremism in India”.
Ancestral attachment not unusual
“We express grave concern over the growing signs of infiltration by RSS-linked individuals and organisations into Malaysia under the guise of cultural, religious or economic platforms,” its president Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid pointed out in a statement.
“The RSS ideology which promotes Hindu supremacy, anti-Muslim hatred and racial chauvinism poses a serious threat to Malaysia’s pluralistic and harmonious society.”
Stating that RSS is not listed as a terror group by Malaysia, the United Nations (UN) or any major international body, Shashi described MAPIM’s call as setting “a worrying precedent”, especially when these accusations are directed towards a minority group already dealing with discrimination.
“Malaysian Indians – particularly Hindus – naturally feel connected to India. That’s not unusual,” justified the GHRF founder.
“We’ve seen them express support for India’s recent firm stand against terrorism, especially in response to Pakistan’s role in regional instability. That’s not a crime – it’s a cultural connection.”
Added Sashi: “Just as Malaysian Muslims support Palestine or Gaza, Malaysian Indians have every right to feel for their ancestral homeland.
“This double standard is dangerous. We can’t condemn one group for doing exactly what we allow another to do.” – May 17, 2025
Main image credit: Swarajyamag.com
