New Delhi: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat delivered a veiled message in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attacks, which tragically claimed the lives of 26 individuals. Speaking at the book launch of ‘The Hindu Manifesto’ in New Delhi on Saturday, Bhagwat emphasized that while non-violence is a fundamental tenet and value of India, it is equally important to “teach a lesson to oppressors and hooligans.”
Drawing upon Hindu scriptures, Bhagwat cited the example of Ravana, stating that his killing was not an act of violence but rather for his own betterment. “We never harm or disrespect our neighbours, but if someone is bent on being evil, what is the cure? The king’s duty is to protect the people, and he will do his duty. The Gita teaches non-violence, but the teaching is to ensure that Arjun fights and kills… because he was confronted with people whose development could only be done this way,” he asserted.
Bhagwat elaborated on the concept of non-violence in the Indian context, stating, “Non-violence is our nature, a key value. Our non-violence is to change people and make them non-violent too. Some people will change, seeing our example, but others will not… they won’t change no matter what you do and cause disorder in the world. So what will you do?”
He further explained this philosophy by referencing Ravana, whom he described as a knowledgeable devotee of Lord Shiva and a capable ruler. “He (Ravan) had all the qualities required to be a good person. But the body and intelligence he accepted did not allow the good qualities in. So, if he wanted to be good, the only option was to end that body and intelligence. So, God killed him. That killing is not violence, it’s still non-violence,” Mr. Bhagwat stated.
“Non-violence is our religion, but not getting beaten by oppressors and teaching hooligans a lesson is also our religion,” he affirmed, contrasting this with Western thought. “In Western thought, these two things can’t go together because the thought that you should assess whether your enemy is good or not does not exist… We see it, though, and punish some a little, others a lot and still others none at all to reform them. But those that cannot be reformed are sent, for their own good, to places where they need to be sent to get basic material,” he added.
Earlier, speaking at an event in Mumbai on Friday, the RSS chief had characterized the current struggle as one between ‘dharma’ (righteousness) and ‘adharma’ (unrighteousness), transcending mere sectarian or religious conflict. Referring directly to the Pahalgam attack, he condemned the perpetrators, saying, “The fanatics who killed people by asking about their religion, Hindus would never do this. That is why the country should be strong.”
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