In Nepal today, the tremors of political change are loud and visible—protests on the streets, interim governments, and a restless youth asking for accountability. But beneath these shifts lies a quieter, less visible current: the ideological presence of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its affiliates.
Hindutva Beyond Borders
While RSS operates primarily in India, its cultural arm has long reached across the open Indo-Nepal border. Schools, religious trusts, and cultural outreach programs have promoted the idea of Hindutva as a civilizational glue between India and Nepal.
In times when Nepal debates secularism versus Hindu identity, RSS-linked narratives often resurface—painting Nepal as the last natural bastion of Hindu culture in South Asia.
The Present Scenario: A Political Vacuum
With Nepal’s politics in turmoil, interim arrangements in place, and fresh elections scheduled, the RSS narrative has found new oxygen. In youth circles, debates around identity are shifting: should Nepal lean secular, or reaffirm its Hindu-majority ethos?
Critics argue that RSS quietly encourages groups in Nepal that favor the latter, ensuring that Hindutva remains part of the political conversation. Pro-Hindu organizations in Kathmandu and border towns often receive ideological (and sometimes financial) support from RSS-affiliated networks.
A Buffer Against Beijing?
Geopolitically, Nepal is under growing Chinese influence. RSS outreach, though not openly political, aligns with New Delhi’s interest in keeping Hindu identity as a counterweight to Chinese cultural and political expansion. By tying Hindu civilizational pride to Nepal’s sovereignty, RSS indirectly strengthens India’s hand.
The Hidden Hand of Influence
- Festivals and Temples: RSS affiliates often sponsor religious events that emphasize Hindu unity.
- Educational Networks: Schools linked with RSS ideology frame Nepal’s history through a civilizational lens.
- Political Whispering: Hindu monarchist nostalgia and resistance to secularism often echo RSS talking points.
None of this is visible in day-to-day governance, yet it shapes the ideological undercurrent beneath Nepal’s fragile democracy.
Conclusion: Hindutva as Soft Power
In the present scenario, with Nepal’s streets demanding reform and its leaders scrambling for legitimacy, the RSS has not faded into the background. Instead, its hidden role keeps Hindutva alive as both a cultural identity and a political option.
For some, this is cultural pride and continuity. For others, it is undue influence that risks undermining Nepal’s sovereignty.
Either way, Hindutva remains a card on the table—played softly, but strategically—by RSS in Nepal.
