Major Political Clash Over Foreign Lobbying Allegations
The Indian National Congress has launched a serious accusation against the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), claiming the organization engaged a lobbying firm with official Pakistani connections to represent its interests in the United States. This allegation has sparked a significant political controversy in New Delhi.
The Core Allegation: Pakistani Lobbying Connection
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh made the explosive claim on social media platform X on November 13, 2025. According to Ramesh, the RSS spent substantial financial resources to hire Squire Patton Boggs (SPB), which he described as "one of Pakistan's official lobbying arms" in the United States.
The American law firm Squire Patton Boggs has been identified as having established connections with the Pakistani government. Ramesh specifically alleged that the RSS utilized this firm to espouse its interests within American political circles, though the exact nature of these interests remains unspecified in the initial allegation.
Political Fallout and Implications
This revelation comes at a sensitive time in Indian politics and has immediately drawn strong reactions from political observers. The Congress party has positioned this as evidence of questionable foreign connections within the RSS, which serves as the ideological parent organization of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.
The involvement of a firm with official Pakistani ties represents a particularly sensitive aspect of the allegation, given the historically complex relationship between India and Pakistan. Political analysts suggest this could have significant implications for how Indian political organizations approach international lobbying and foreign representation.
As of the initial reporting, the RSS has not issued an official response to these specific allegations. The political discourse around this controversy is expected to intensify as more details emerge about the nature of the lobbying activities and the financial arrangements involved.
