The RSS’s infiltration into civil society and political institutions has long been underway, but this influence has intensified since the BJP came to power in several states and at the Centre. Beyond shakhas, the RSS now organizes community groups for women, children, and the elderly to keep them ideologically aligned. Recently, a picnic was organized in my area; when a Muslim woman expressed interest in joining, she was bluntly told she would feel uncomfortable due to the nature of the discussions and activities