Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) on Monday launched a pointed attack on Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat, arguing that the tolerant, inclusive principles the RSS Sarsanghchalak articulated during his recent United States visit must be actively enforced within India — not merely projected for Western audiences. The critique appeared in an editorial published in the party's mouthpiece 'Saamana', scrutinising what the Thackeray camp described as a glaring gap between Bhagwat's international rhetoric and ground-level political realities at home.

Bhagwat's New York Address Under the Scanner

During his US tour — organised as part of the RSS centenary outreach — Bhagwat invoked the Sanskrit principle 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (the world is one family) and declared that 'if a Hindu feels that there should be no Muslims in India, then he is not a Hindu at all.' The Saamana editorial characterised this measured vocabulary as a carefully calibrated effort to align with Western democratic norms and global human rights frameworks.

Critics within the Thackeray camp argued that these statements stand in sharp contrast to developments inside India, where, they allege, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders at the Centre and across states have fostered an environment of systematic exclusion of minority communities — directly contradicting Bhagwat's stated position on Hindu-Muslim coexistence.

Haldwani Incident Cited as Evidence

The editorial cited a recent alleged 'purification ceremony' conducted by local BJP activists in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, following a public address by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, pointing to it as evidence of a polarised domestic atmosphere driven by political motives. 'Such is the extreme nature of religion, caste, and inhumane behaviour within the BJP,' the editorial stated. 'Do these antics fit into the Krishna Consciousness articulated by Bhagwat in America? Come to India and speak a bit about this as well.'

Ram Temple Funds and Accountability Allegations

The Thackeray faction also alleged financial mismanagement surrounding the Ayodhya Ram Temple project, claiming that Hindu donors in America contributed generously toward its construction, only for those funds to be, in their words, misappropriated. 'The Hindu community in America donated heavily for the construction of the Ram Temple, which was looted in Ayodhya. Neither PM Modi nor the Sarsanghchalak commented on this loot,' the editorial alleged. It further claimed that Bhagwat 'escaped accountability on American soil by speaking about Krishna's ideas instead of Lord Ram' — suggesting the political utility of the Ram Temple movement has been exhausted for the ruling establishment. These are allegations made by the Shiv Sena (UBT) and have not been independently verified.

Selective Global Posture and Gaza Silence

The editorial also drew attention to what it described as the RSS's selective international stance, criticising the organisation's silence on major humanitarian crises — including civilian casualties in Gaza — as reflecting geopolitical calculations rather than a principled commitment to universal human rights. The Thackeray camp noted that Bhagwat's US visit drew active demonstrations and intense scrutiny, even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi was engaged in high-level talks in Tashkent, elevating India-Uzbekistan ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Gita's Teachings Invoked in Closing Argument

Concluding the editorial, the Thackeray faction invoked core tenets of the Bhagavad Gita, arguing that true spiritual authority demands selflessness, equanimity, and the elimination of ego — not social division or political posturing. The editorial urged the RSS leadership to match its global preachings with meaningful action on the ground in India. The RSS has not publicly responded to the Saamana editorial as of the time of publication.