Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday said the terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir killed the victims after asking them about their religion, adding that "Hindus would never do this".
He further stated that the current fight is not just a conflict between sects and religions, but a fight between 'Dharma' (righteousness) and 'Adharma' (unrighteousness).
Speaking at an event in Mumbai in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, Bhagwat said: "The fight that is going on right now is not between sects and religions. Its basis is sect and religion, but this fight is between 'Dharma' and 'Adharma'. Our soldiers or our people have never killed anyone by asking about their religion. The fanatics who killed people by asking about their religion, Hindus would never do this. That is why the country should be strong."
A deadly terror attack struck Pahalgam on Tueaday afternoon when terrorists opened fire at tourists in Baisaran Valley, killing 26 people, including two foreigners.
The RSS Chief further said that evil people need to be eliminated, just like Lord Ram killed Ravana, saying that just as slaying Ravana was necessary to restore righteousness, certain elements today also need to be taught a similar lesson. He also stressed on the importance of standing united at times such as these.
"We are a people who see the good in everyone and accept all. Our country has an army, but there was a time we felt we didn't need one. We became complacent, thinking there would be no war, and in 1962, nature taught us a lesson. Since then, we have been striving to strengthen our defence. Evil must be eliminated. There is anger, and there is also expectation. I believe that expectation will be fulfilled. But such change doesn't come merely from weapons or anger. The true force behind it is closeness. It is intimacy that keeps society united. In Kaliyug, staying united is our greatest strength," Bhagwat said.
'Our Strength Must Be Visible'
The RSS Chief stated that the people of the country stand togther in anger and grief, irrespective of their religion and caste as he went on to emphasise the importance of unity and closeness in society, and highlighting that true strength lies in togetherness.
"The wave of anger that swept the nation after the recent incident did not differentiate by caste, religion, creed, sect, region, or party. We stood together for the dignity of the country, and this must become our nature. When we are united like this, no one will dare cast a sidelong glance at us. And if they do, their eyes will be forced shut. But to reach that point, we must cultivate deep love and closeness among ourselves. Such incidents keep happening, and we respond strongly--this time too, we expect the same. But to prevent such events, society must unite. This is the very spirit the Constitution expects from us--emotional integration, a feeling of closeness," Bhagwat said.
The RSS Chief said that the nationwide outrage sparked due to the recent attack showed unity across various groups. He also said that the two-nation theory reiterated by the Army Chief of Pakistan in his speech must be taken seriously and the world should know through the country's strength that India should not be provoked.
"...Just recently, the Army Chief of Pakistan reiterated the two-nation theory in his speech. We must take this seriously. The whole world is one family. No matter the religion or sect, eventually, everyone moves toward the same truth. Hatred is not our nature. Enmity is not our nature. But neither should helplessness be our nature. A powerful person should choose nonviolence. The weak have no other option. Our strength must be visible; only then will the world understand that these people are strong and should not be provoked. Only then do the evil forces of the world begin to understand," he said.