RSS leader Indresh Kumar accuses INDIA bloc of blackmailing Muslims for votes
Synopsis
Senior RSS leader Indresh Kumar escalated the political temperature in Punjab on 2 October, accusing the INDIA bloc of 'blackmailing' Muslims for electoral gain — while simultaneously pitching the Uniform Civil Code as a guarantor of inter-faith harmony. The remarks, made on the ground in Rupnagar ahead of Punjab polls, reflect the RSS's push to reframe Muslim voters as a constituency being exploited rather than served by the opposition.
Key Takeaways
RSS leader Indresh Kumar accused the INDIA bloc of 'blackmailing' and 'misusing' Muslims for votes in remarks made in Rupnagar, Punjab on 2 October .
Kumar appealed to Indian Muslims, saying parties that 'create the idea that Hindus and Muslims cannot live together are enemies of democracy and India's unity.' He defended the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) as a law that 'protects and respects every religion,' including preventing sectarian atrocities between sub-sects.
On the upcoming Punjab Assembly elections , Kumar stopped short of political prescription, saying he wished all leaders well in their campaign efforts.
The remarks come as the RSS intensifies ground activity ahead of the Punjab polls and national debate on the UCC continues.
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Indresh Kumar on Friday, 2 October accused the INDIA bloc of 'blackmailing' Muslims and politically misusing them in the name of religion to harvest votes. Kumar made the remarks while speaking to reporters in Rupnagar, Punjab.
Kumar's Charge Against the INDIA Bloc
'Blackmailing Muslims has become the nature of the INDIA bloc and some Muslim political leaders. Muslims are also gradually beginning to understand that they are being politically misused in the name of their religion,' Kumar said.
He appealed directly to the Muslim community, saying: 'I would tell the Indian Muslims, the Hindustani Muslims, that they are not foreigners, outsiders or strangers. They have always belonged to India and will continue to do so.' He argued that parties which 'create the idea that Hindus and Muslims cannot live together, are enemies of democracy and of India's unity and integrity.'
Kumar's Case for the Uniform Civil Code
The RSS leader also made a pointed defence of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), framing it as an instrument of inter-religious harmony rather than interference. 'Uniform Civil Code is a law that protects and respects every religion. Suppose there is some kind of tension between any two religions or their sub-sects, like between Shias and Sunnis. The law ensures that the sects don't commit atrocities against each other and rather live together in harmony,' he said.
Kumar extended the argument to intra-Hindu contexts as well, asserting that the UCC would offer similar protections in cases of tension within Sanatan Dharma or any other faith. 'Everyone should follow their own religion, should not interfere in another person's religious affairs, and at the same time, should respect all religions. This is what UCC stands for,' he added, addressing critics of the proposed legislation.
Remarks on Punjab Assembly Elections
On the subject of the forthcoming Punjab Assembly elections, Kumar struck a notably measured tone. 'All the political leaders in India are wise. They will do whatever they have to in order to ensure their victory. They will also make the necessary arrangements and coordination for that. I wish them well in that regard,' he said.
Context and Significance
Kumar's remarks come amid heightened political activity ahead of Punjab's Assembly polls and ongoing national debate over the UCC, which the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Centre has championed as a legislative priority. The RSS, the BJP's ideological parent organisation, has consistently advocated for the UCC as a cornerstone of its vision of a common civil framework for all citizens. Critics from opposition parties have argued that the UCC as proposed risks overriding personal religious laws, a charge the RSS categorically rejects. Kumar's Rupnagar appearance signals the RSS's intent to frame the Muslim vote-bank debate as a welfare issue for the community itself — a messaging shift worth tracking as election season intensifies.
Point of View
The RSS is positioning itself as a protector of Muslim welfare against opposition exploitation. That is a harder message to rebut than a direct ideological attack. The UCC pivot is equally deliberate — linking a contentious legal proposal to the language of intra-community protection softens it for a sceptical audience. What mainstream coverage often misses is that the RSS has been making this argument incrementally in Muslim-majority pockets ahead of state elections, suggesting a coordinated outreach strategy rather than an isolated statement. Whether Indian Muslim voters find it credible is the more consequential question, and one the polls will eventually answer.
NationPress
2 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did RSS leader Indresh Kumar say about the INDIA bloc and Muslims?
Indresh Kumar accused the INDIA bloc of 'blackmailing' Muslims and politically misusing them in the name of religion to win votes. He made the remarks in Rupnagar, Punjab on 2 October, urging Muslims to recognise what he called deliberate electoral exploitation.
What is the Uniform Civil Code and why did Kumar defend it?
The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is a proposed common set of civil laws applicable to all citizens regardless of religion, covering matters such as marriage, divorce, and inheritance. Kumar argued it would protect all religious communities and sub-sects from internal atrocities, framing it as a harmony-enabling law rather than an interference in personal religious practice.
Why did Indresh Kumar visit Rupnagar, Punjab?
Kumar was in Rupnagar ahead of the upcoming Punjab Assembly elections. His remarks are widely seen as part of the RSS's pre-election outreach effort in the state, where mobilising Muslim voters has been a contested political issue.
How has the INDIA bloc responded to Kumar's accusations?
No immediate formal response from the INDIA bloc was reported following Kumar's remarks in Rupnagar. Opposition parties have in the past rejected RSS and BJP claims of Muslim vote-bank politics, arguing that their policies better serve minority welfare.
What is the RSS's position on Muslim voters in India?
The RSS, as reflected in Kumar's statement, holds that Indian Muslims are integral to the country and should not be treated as a separate vote bank to be leveraged by political parties. The organisation has consistently opposed what it characterises as vote-bank politics while supporting the UCC as a unifying legal framework.
