Authors
Vasudha noticed the growing problem of mis/disinformation online after studying New Media at ACJ in Chennai and became interested in separating facts from fiction. She is interested in learning how global issues affect individuals on a micro level. Before joining Newschecker’s English team, she was working with Latestly.
Claim
The RSS issued a letter encouraging Hindu men to coax Muslim women into religious conversion. It also lists several tactics to be used to convince Muslim women to give up Islam and embrace Hinduism.
Fact
The RSS Prachar Pramukh clarified that the letter is fabricated. The abounding grammatical errors in the letter and discrepancies in the logo further confirms the letter as fake.
A set of two images showing a document purportedly issued by the RSS encouraging Hindu men to lure Muslim women for religious conversion has created a stir on social media platforms. The letter lists a 12-point-plan on how to “entrap” a Muslim woman in line with the alleged decision by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat to “bring 10 lakh Muslim girls back every year.” It also mentions a “15-day training program” where the Hindu men will be instructed on how to convince Muslim women to accept Hinduism. Newschecker found the viral letter to be fabricated.
Several social media users shared the viral letter accusing the RSS of “Bhagwa Love Trap,” and cautioning the Muslim women against it.
Such tweets can be seen here, here, here and here.
Newschecker also received the same claim on our WhatsApp tipline (+91-9999499044) requesting for it to be fact checked.
Fact Check/Verification
On a cursory perusal of the viral letter allegedly attributed to the RSS, we spotted several grammatical errors and inconsistencies. For instance, “इस लडकी” instead of “उस लडकी,” “तलाश” instead of “तलाशें.” Additionally, Hindu outfit “बजरंग दल” has been addressed as “बजरंग दिल,” raising our doubts.
Following this, we looked up keywords “RSS” “letter,” & “Muslim girls” on Google, but did not come across any credible news reports on the same. A careful scan through the social media platforms of the BJP’s ideological parent, also did not yield any relevant results.
Completely False Letter: Prachar Pramukh, RSS
We came across a tweet by VKS Bharat, an outlet known to be the “media organisation of the RSS”, terming the viral letter as “fake.” In a post dated, April 10, 2023, @editorvskbharat stated, “Another unsuccessful attempt by anarchist elements to defame Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh A false letter in the name of Sarsanghchalak ji is being made viral on the letterhead of the Sangh through various mediums of social media.”
Additionally, a tweet by Sunil Ambekar, Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh of the RSS, calling the viral letter as “completely false.” In a tweet dated April 11, 2023, Ambekar said, “This leaflet circulating in the social media in the name of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh is completely false.”
Discrepancies In RSS Logo
Following this, we compared the viral image with the official letterhead of the RSS, and found certain discrepancies. The same can be seen below.
Also Read: Viral Video Of RSS Worker Being Slaughtered is False
Fake, Designed To Mislead: Senior Journalist Covering RSS
Newschecker reached out to senior journalist and analyst, Hemant Desai who told us, “I don’t agree with the RSS ideology, but I don’t think that it will issue such a letter directly to the public.” Adding that such letters can disturb social harmony, and “government and responsible authorities should ensure that these things do not escalate.”
We also contacted journalist Prakash Bilgoji, who has been covering the RSS’ affairs for the past 18 years, who said, “The first look at the letter reveals that it’s fake.” He pointed out several anomalies in the viral letter, “The RSS logo and the letter’s pattern are not correct. The letter is filled with grammatical errors. Also the RSS follows a practice of adding the name and signature of the letter author at the end, but these elements are missing in the alleged letter. Additionally, the language used in the letter does not match that of the RSS.”
“The letter is designed to mislead,” Bilgoji told us. Adding, “the fact” that the RSS logo used in the letter is incorrect, “shows that the letter is fake.”
Newschecker also reached out to the various Karyakartas and Divisional Heads of the RSS on this matter. “As an organisation, the RSS never indulges in such malicious things. We don’t need to spread religion in such ways, “ we were informed.
Conclusion
Viral letter allegedly issued by the RSS encoring Hindu men to lure Muslim women to accept Hinduism is fabricated.
Result: False
Sources
Tweet By @editorvskbharat, Dated April 10, 2023
Tweet By @SunilAmbekarM, Dated April 11, 2023
Contact With Journalists Hemant Desai & Prakash Bilgoji
Self Analysis
(The article was originally published in Newschecker Marathi by Prasad Prabhu)
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Authors
Vasudha noticed the growing problem of mis/disinformation online after studying New Media at ACJ in Chennai and became interested in separating facts from fiction. She is interested in learning how global issues affect individuals on a micro level. Before joining Newschecker’s English team, she was working with Latestly.
