Video of Rashtriya Bajrang Dal's Weapons Training Camp in Mumbai Surfaces

Rashtriya Bajrang Dal says that aim of the training camp is to equip "Hindus" with "skills to defend themselves".

Weapon Training in Progress

Hindutva Watch I  Instagram: @hindutvawatchin

A video uploaded on 3 June by the Instagram account @hindutvawatchin has sparked questions about a weapons training session reportedly organised by members of the Rashtriya Bajrang Dal in Mumbai's Chembur area. The outfit is an affiliate of Pravin Togadia's Antarrashtriya Hindu Parishad, formed after he left the Vishwa Hindu Parishad. The footage shows a group of young men and women dressed in T-shirts bearing the Rashtriya Bajrang Dal logo, engaged in what appears to be a weapon training drill.

Since the video has not been widely shared, The Quint has not been able to independently verify the date on which it was shot or the exact nature of the weapons used. Hindutva Watch has claimed that the video is from 1 June.

What the Video Shows

In the video, participants, both men and women, can be seen holding mock rifles, and other objects resembling weapons. They take turns to try the 'weapon', and perform shooting practice on what appears to be a residential ground or community park. Several people in t-shirts with Rashtriya Bajrang Dal insignia are seen to be participating and supervising the exercise.

In the past, Rashtriya Bajrang Dal has held similar training camps in other parts of the country, often positioning them as self-defence workshops for Hindus. However, some of these events, particularly in Assam and Madhya Pradesh, have previously drawn criticism for including mock drills and inflammatory slogans.

Rashtriya Bajrang Dal Says All Camps Are Organised ‘Within Legal Bounds’

The Rashtriya Bajrang Dal’s Mumbai unit confirmed to The Quint that such training sessions are organised by them frequently. “The purpose of the camp was to equip our Hindu brothers and sisters with the skills to defend themselves and the nation, should the need arise. We also aim to instill pride in Sanatan Dharma and Hindu culture. These sessions include awareness about issues like ‘love jihad’ and ways to protect our community from (perceived) threats,” stated Manoj Kumar, National President of the Rashtriya Bajrang Dal.

He further claimed: “These trainings happen under strict professional and legal care. If any group holds such camps without following due protocol, they are liable to face charges, both legally and from within the organisation.”

Police Say ‘We Were Not Aware’

The Quint reached out to the local police to ask whether they had heard of such an arms training camp. PI Sadanand Rane, Chembur police station, commented, “If anything like this would have happened, we would have been informed. No calls or complaints were received by PCR or the station.” 

Locals React with Unease, Activists Raise Concerns

Aarti Dilip Kamble, who claims to live near the location where the camp was held, said, “Practice is okay, but they should not have worn the t-shirt with the logo of Bajrang Dal. It gives the incident an unnecessary colour”

However, human rights activists have raised several concerns on the matter.

Human rights activist Manjula Pradeep told The Quint: “While the law allows for self-defence training, there are serious social concerns when youth are trained in weapons training without appropriate supervision. This kind of messaging can polarise neighbourhoods over time.”

“Arming young people under the banner of any ideology raises serious concerns. This isn’t simply about training for self-defence, they are wearing jerseys of a particular wing. Even if it is unintended, there will be questions”, commented Rahul Karanpuriya, Founder, Sahyatri Foundation.

When asked about the broader impact of such activities, Pradeep added: “It promotes an ‘us vs them’ mindset. Even if no slogans are raised, the visual language of weapons and uniforms can make people feel unsafe in their own locality. It’s especially sensitive in urban areas with diverse populations and communal history.”

Hindutva Groups' Track Record of Arms Training

The Rashtriya Bajrang Dal often organises youth camps across India and in some places it has reportedly involved training in weapons. These are framed as self-defence exercises for Hindus.

In July 2022, the Rashtriya Bajrang Dal organised a four-day camp in Dhubri, Assam, involving around 240 participants. Activities included close combat, martial arts, weapon handling, yoga, and ideological lectures, under supervision of senior functionaries. The camp’s stated goal was to "prepare Hindus against perceived demographic threats", especially from Bengali-origin Muslims. Read this report to know more.

In the context of Western Uttar Pradesh, The Quint's documentary had shown how fringe Hindutva groups were holding camps giving weapons training to even children as young as nine.