Congress Targets Hosabale Over Pakistan Remarks, Links It to US Visit

NEW DELHI, May 13: The Congress on Wednesday criticised RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale over his remarks favouring continued dialogue with Pakistan, with the opposition party taking a swipe at the Sangh leadership and linking the comments to his recent visit to the United States.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh shared a video clip of Hosabale’s interview and suggested that the RSS leader’s interactions during his overseas tour may have influenced both him and the organisation.
In a post on social media platform X, Ramesh remarked that Hosabale’s recent US visit appeared to have had an impact on his views as well as on the RSS. He also questioned how supporters of the ruling establishment and sections of television media would have reacted had similar remarks been made by leaders from other political parties.
The Congress reaction came after Hosabale, in an interview with PTI Videos, stated that communication channels with Pakistan should not be permanently closed despite continuing tensions between the two countries.
Hosabale said safeguarding national security and self-respect remained essential, but maintained that opportunities for dialogue should continue to exist. He stressed that people to people interaction could play a constructive role in reducing hostility and overcoming diplomatic deadlock.
The RSS leader further observed that trust in Pakistan’s military and political establishment had weakened considerably in India, adding that civil society engagement could help create space for improved understanding in the future.
Hosabale also emphasised that greater interaction between ordinary citizens of both countries should be encouraged as part of long-term confidence-building efforts.
The remarks triggered political reactions because of the RSS’s ideological influence within the broader Sangh Parivar and the BJP led political ecosystem.
Last month, Hosabale undertook a tour of the United States and the United Kingdom as part of the RSS outreach campaign marking the organisation’s centenary year. During the visit, he addressed academic and diaspora gatherings, including events at Stanford University and the Hudson Institute, while interacting with scholars, intellectuals and members of the Indian community abroad.
The Congress has repeatedly targeted the RSS over statements made during the US visit. Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had earlier mocked the organisation by referring to it as “Rashtriya Surrender Sangh” while criticising remarks made by RSS leader Ram Madhav during an event in America.
Rahul Gandhi alleged that Madhav’s comments reflected what he described as “fake nationalism” domestically and excessive deference abroad.
The controversy arose after a video clip circulated online in which Madhav appeared to suggest that India had agreed to certain US demands relating to oil imports from Iran and Russia as well as tariff issues.
Madhav later clarified that his statement was factually incorrect and apologised for the remarks. He maintained that India had neither agreed to stop importing Russian oil nor accepted higher tariff measures imposed by the United States without objection.
The latest exchange has once again intensified the political debate between the Congress and the RSS-BJP camp over nationalism, foreign policy and India’s approach towards Pakistan.