Rahul Gandhi slams Ram Madhav, calls RSS 'Rashtriya Surrender Sangh'

Rahul Gandhi slammed RSS leader Ram Madhav, calling the Sangh a 'Rashtriya Surrender Sangh' after Madhav incorrectly claimed in the US that India had stopped buying Russian oil. Madhav later apologised, calling his statement 'factually incorrect'.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday lambasted senior Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Ram Madhav over his remarks made during a panel discussion in the United States, terming them as reflective of the organisation's "true nature."

Gandhi accused the RSS of being "Rashtriya Surrender Sangh" and called the Sangh "farzi". Sharing an X post, Rahul Gandhi wrote, "Rashtriya Surrender Sangh. Farzi nationalism in Nagpur. Pure servility in the USA. Ram Madhav has only revealed the Sangh's true nature." Rashtriya Surrender Sangh. Farzi nationalism in Nagpur. Pure servility in USA. Ram Madhav has only revealed Sangh’s true nature. — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) April 25, 2026

Ram Madhav's remarks in US

Congress leader's remarks came a day after Ram Madhav participated in a panel discussion in Washington DC alongside Amb Kurt Campbell and Elizabeth Threlkeld at the Hudson Institute's New India Conference on "New Paths Forward for U.S.-India Relations."

During the discussion, Ram Madhav raised a question on India's energy and trade decisions, saying that the country agreed to stop buying oil from Iran and Russia despite so much criticism from the opposition. "India agreed to stop buying oil from Iran. We agreed to stop buying oil from Russia despite so much criticism from our opposition. India agreed to a 50% tariff without saying too much. So where exactly is India not doing enough to work with America?" he said during the discussion.

Ram Madhav issues clarification

Following criticism over his remarks, Ram Madhav later issued a clarification, adding that what he said during the panel discussion was "factually incorrect". What I said was wrong. India didn’t agree to stopping import of oil from Russia anytime. Also it vigorously protested 50 percent tariff imposition. I was trying to make a limited counterpoint to d other panelist. But factually incorrect. My apologies. https://t.co/D3VNkYJ7pU — Ram Madhav (@rammadhav_) April 24, 2026

He said, "What I said was wrong. India didn't agree to stopping import of oil from Russia anytime. Also, it vigorously protested the 50 per cent tariff imposition. I was trying to make a limited counterpoint to the other panellist. But factually incorrect. My apologies."

Govt clarifies stance on oil imports

Earlier, the government clarified that India is in a very comfortable position in Crude oil, Oil products and LPG in terms of our current stock.

Sources said that India would ramp up supplies from other parts of the geography and make up any supply crunch from the Strait of Hormuz.

Sources stated that India has been buying crude oil from Russia since 2022. In 2022, India imported 0.2 per cent of its total imports from Russia, while in February, it imported 20 per cent of its total imports from Russia.

About 40 per cent of India's crude moves through the Strait of Hormuz, and 60 per cent of the rest of the crude comes from other sources. (ANI)

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