Keshdhari Hindus is a controversial term used by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and Vishva Hindu Parishad for followers of Sikh Religion as their agenda of Hindutva. Keshdhari means one who have long hairs.
Among RSS, Sikhs are being propagated as a sword arm of the Hindus and staunch Indian nationalists. K.S Sudarshan, the prominent leader of RSS said Sikhs are not separate (from Hindus) but they are actually their reformed version. They formed an organization for Sikhs known as Rashtriya Sikh Sangat on 24 November 1986.
Since 1984, relations between Sikhs and Hindus have moved toward a rapprochement aided by economic prosperity. However, a 2002 claim by the Hindu right-wing Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) that "Sikhs are Hindus" disturbed Sikh sensibilities.
Reaction from Sikh mainstream
Sikhs do not regard themselves as denoted by word Hindu, due to difference in belief regarding caste, belief, worship, rituals and holy book. The Sikh Jathedhar condemned RSS for calling Sikhs as Keshadhari Hindus and relate them to Aurangzeb for their ideology of forceful conversions.
On 23 July 2004, Rashtriya Sikh Sangat was declared as an Anti-Sikh outfit by highest authority of Sikhs, Akal Takhat. They also cautioned the adherents against activities of Rashiyra Sikh Sangat and directed the Sikhs not to participate or cooperate in any activities of the Rashtriya Sikh Sangat.