"Works In Bharat": RSS Rejects Congress's Claim Of Hiring US Lobbying Firm

New Delhi, November 14, 2025 - The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has vehemently denied allegations made by the Congress party that it engaged a United States-based lobbying firm to influence foreign policy narratives. The denial follows claims that the right-wing organization hired Squire Patton Boggs (SPB), a firm Congress described as having links to Pakistan, to represent its interests in the U.S.

Sunil Ambekar, Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh of the RSS, issued a statement dismissing the accusations as baseless and politically motivated. He asserted that the RSS operates solely within India and has not engaged any lobbying firm in the United States of America. "Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh works in Bharat and has not engaged any lobbying firm in United States of America,” Ambekar stated.

The controversy arose after Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh claimed the RSS had hired SPB to promote its interests in the U.S. Ramesh alleged that the RSS, through SPB, had spent a significant amount of money to engage "one of Pakistan's official lobbying arms". He supported his claim by sharing a screenshot on X (formerly Twitter) purportedly showing U.S. Senate lobbying disclosures that listed the RSS as a client of Squire Patton Boggs. Ramesh also referenced RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's recent acknowledgment that the RSS is not a registered organization and does not pay taxes, suggesting a contradiction between the RSS's nationalist stance and its alleged engagement with a foreign lobbying firm.

Ramesh didn't stop there, adding that "This is hardly the first time that the RSS - with its long tradition of betraying the freedom movement, opposing Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Ambedkar, and attacking the Constitution and the national flag of India - has betrayed national interest".

The Congress party has labeled the RSS a "pseudo-nationalist outfit," alleging that this engagement with a foreign lobbying firm constitutes a betrayal of national interest. They further claimed that the lobbying firm has previously represented Pakistan's interests.

An RSS insider, however, refuted the claims, stating that the allegations are an attempt to manufacture an artificial controversy for electoral gains. According to this source, the RSS operates openly within India and has no need for foreign lobbying networks.

Political analysts suggest that these allegations are part of a broader pattern of opposition parties attempting to challenge the ruling party. With crucial state elections approaching, parties are keen to leverage any narrative that might sway voters. One strategist noted that election cycles in India often see a rise in disinformation campaigns designed to shape the electoral atmosphere.

The issue of foreign influence in domestic affairs is a sensitive one in Indian politics. Amid increased scrutiny on international funding and lobbying, even unverified claims can quickly escalate into national debates. The global lobbying industry is vast, and any perceived connections to foreign entities can draw intense public and political attention.

The RSS maintains that it is committed to working within India and has no need for foreign representation. The organization has yet to release further information or documentation to support their claims.