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Two crucial public speeches by the RSS chief calling for a strong but measured response to the Pahalgam attack that aligned with India’s traditional values brought a fine balance
RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat made it clear that while military options remained available, the country needed to ensure that any action was aligned with its core values. (PTI)
One week after the devastating terror attack in Kashmir’s Pahalgam, popularly known as ‘Mini Switzerland’, the nation continues to grapple with the aftermath and the profound loss, while clamour over ‘action’ against Pakistan grows. The anger is so deep that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), seen as the key ideological pillar of India’s ruling political establishment, is now facing a significant internal conflict vis-à-vis its reaction to the tragedy.
While a section within the organisation demanded immediate military retaliation against Pakistan, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat navigated the intense pressure with a more nuanced approach. With Ramayana, Mahabharat and a reference to the 1962 war, Bhagwat weaved a message that emphasised “wise retaliation” and restraint from “aggression”.
Over the past week, two crucial public speeches by the RSS chief calling for a strong but measured response that aligned with India’s traditional values of wisdom, restraint, and strategic diplomacy, brought the fine balance required at this time of crisis. His speeches in Mumbai and Delhi following the Pahalgam terror attack are significant for understanding his nuanced stance on national security and strategic response.
In both speeches, he faced the delicate task of balancing anger and patriotism with restraint and wisdom, a theme that emerged as a guiding principle of his post-attack rhetoric.
By citing Ravana’s fate in Ramayana and invoking a verse from the Bhagavad Gita, alongside Arjun’s role in Mahabharata, Bhagwat urged a course of action rooted in Indian ethos. He also urged not to repeat the mistakes of 1962. His measured approach played a crucial role in tempering calls for aggression between communities and also advocating for a more measured and strategic response to the crisis.
From Ramayana To 1962 War
On Saturday, while addressing a book launch programme in Delhi, Bhagwat’s speech appeared to be a clear call for restraint against aggression, despite the understandable anger and frustration that followed such a brutal attack. He said, “Apart from using weapons against each other, there are ways of strong retaliation which may shake the ones that attacked us. We will not envy anyone or attack anyone, but we will also not tolerate terrorism and unprovoked hooliganism on our soil. We have to stay united.”
His response came after Swami Vigyananand, international coordination and joint general secretary of VHP, said the enemy should be “destroyed”, while referring to the Pahalgam attack. Following his speech, Yogesh Singh, vice-chancellor of the Delhi University, asked why Hindus always face such attacks. “Bhagwat-ji’s speech in Mumbai was truly inspiring and it reaffirmed my belief that only a Hindu can speak with such depth and conviction. Yet, at times, a question lingers in my mind—is our goodness the very reason we continue to face such attacks?” Singh said.
However, Bhagwat’s tone remained consistent, though the speech delved deeper into the idea of India’s strategic restraint. He acknowledged the deep pain and anger of the people over the attack but again emphasised that India should choose its response carefully. He made it clear that while military options remained available, the country needed to ensure that any action was aligned with its core values and would not compromise the future of India or its relationships with other nations.
Assertive Condemnation, Strategic Restraint
Even in Mumbai, Bhagwat expressed a strong condemnation of the terror attack in Pahalgam, emphasising the need for India to defend itself against the threats posed by cross-border terrorism. The attack, he said, was a direct assault on India’s sovereignty and the victims deserved justice.
But unlike others, he did not immediately call for military retaliation, a stance that some factions within the RSS and affiliated organisations had been pushing for. He said, “We all saw what happened in Pahalgam. In a terrorist attack, tourists were asked their religion and then shot dead. But no Hindu would ever do this. If we were all united, no one would look down upon us.”
He added: “Our hearts are filled with sorrow. Our hearts are filled with anger. If we have to free ourselves from demons, we need the power of eight arms. Ravana was not ready to change his mind and intellect. There was no other way. In the end, Ram killed Ravana because he wanted to reform him. Nature taught us a lesson in 1962.”
Bhagwat’s tone was assertive, stressing that the country must not be intimidated by these attacks. Yet, unlike some hardliners within the organisation, he did not indulge in rhetoric that could easily lead to escalation. By advocating for a strategic approach, he prevented what could have been a dangerous course of action, reminding the Sangh Parivar and the broader national discourse that India’s actions on the global stage must be measured.
