Danish Kaneria Lauds RSS, Sparks Speculation Over Indian Citizenship

Former Pakistani cricketer Danish Kaneria has stirred headlines once again — not just for his past on-field achievements, but for his increasingly vocal support for India’s ruling party and its ideological parent, the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh). Over the past week, Kaneria has made a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter) that have reignited speculation about his political leanings and intentions regarding Indian citizenship.

On the occasion of Dussehra, Kaneria — one of the very few Hindus to have represented Pakistan in international cricket — praised the RSS, calling it an organisation “dedicated to social service without seeking recognition.” In his post, he wrote: “No caste, no religion, no boundaries, just service. I salute every volunteer carrying this mission forward. #RSS100Years.” This triggered strong reactions on social media, especially given the RSS’s polarising image in South Asian political discourse.

He didn’t stop there. Kaneria went on to criticise figures known for their opposition to the RSS and BJP, including Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair, who he mocked for appealing for donations to fund the fact-checking portal. He also re-shared a post targeting senior advocate Indira Jaising, who had questioned the government’s release of a commemorative coin featuring Bharat Mata and RSS volunteers. Kaneria added, “The government should not care about pseudo secularists and must focus on empowering RSS and its volunteers,” directly addressing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration.

Amid an uproar in Pakistan when Indian cricketers refused to accept a trophy from Pakistan’s minister during the Asia Cup, Kaneria joined the online frenzy by sharing a meme — a TV screen behind a protective metal net, referencing the viral trend of Pakistanis smashing televisions after cricket losses to India.

Kaneria has also previously accused fellow Pakistani cricketers, including former captain Shahid Afridi, of religious discrimination during his playing days. He has consistently praised PM Modi’s leadership and governance.

Responding to rising speculation about a potential shift in nationality, Kaneria clarified on Saturday, “Pakistan may be my Janmabhoomi, but Bharat, the land of my ancestors, is my Matrubhumi. At present, I have no plans to seek Indian citizenship.” However, he noted that if he ever chooses to, the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) is in place to facilitate it for people like him — religious minorities fleeing persecution in neighbouring countries.