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The statement from RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat following the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam carries significant weight, reflecting not only the organization's stance on national security but also its broader philosophical underpinnings. Bhagwat's assertion that India has never insulted or harmed its neighbours but will respond defensively to evil is a carefully constructed message, balancing a commitment to peace with a firm resolve to protect national interests. The timing of the statement, in the wake of the Pahalgam attack where 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed, underscores the immediate context of the message: a response to a specific act of violence and a reassurance to the public. The reference to the 'duty of the king' to protect the people is a deliberate appeal to traditional notions of leadership and responsibility, invoking a sense of order and justice. This imagery resonates deeply with certain segments of the Indian population who hold traditional values in high regard. Bhagwat's emphasis on non-violence as a core principle of Hinduism, juxtaposed with the assertion that facing aggressors is equally part of dharma, highlights a nuanced understanding of Hindu philosophy. It acknowledges the inherent tension between the ideals of peace and the realities of self-defense, suggesting that true dharma lies in the appropriate application of both. This duality is not unique to Hinduism; many ethical and philosophical systems grapple with the challenge of reconciling pacifist ideals with the necessity of defending oneself and others against aggression. The condemnation of the Pahalgam attack as a brutal reminder of the battle between dharma and adharma further frames the issue within a moral context, positioning the attackers as forces of evil and the victims as upholders of righteousness. This narrative is a powerful tool for galvanizing public opinion and justifying defensive actions. Bhagwat's observation that the attackers inquired about the victims' religion before shooting them is a particularly poignant detail, emphasizing the sectarian nature of the violence. His assertion that 'Hindus would never do such a thing' is a statement of cultural identity and a rejection of the notion that such acts are compatible with Hindu values. This point is crucial for countering any attempts to associate Hinduism with violence or extremism. The explicit disavowal of hatred and hostility as part of Indian culture is equally important, reinforcing the message that the country's response to the attack will be guided by principles of justice and self-defense, not by blind vengeance. The claim by The Resistance Front, a Pakistan-backed terror group, adds a geopolitical dimension to the issue, highlighting the external forces that are believed to be fueling the violence. Bhagwat's call for a true understanding of Sanatan Dharma is a broader appeal for a return to fundamental values, emphasizing the importance of truth, purity, compassion, and spiritual discipline. His lament that religion has been reduced to rituals and eating habits reflects a concern that the essence of faith is being lost in superficial practices. The rejection of 'oonch' and 'neech' (high and low) in Hindu scriptures and the condemnation of untouchability and discrimination are important statements of social justice, aligning the organization with modern values of equality and inclusivity. The assertion that compassionless behavior amounts to adharma further underscores the importance of empathy and social responsibility in religious practice. Bhagwat's emphasis on respecting other religions without trying to change them is a crucial message of tolerance and pluralism, promoting peaceful coexistence among diverse communities. In conclusion, Mohan Bhagwat's statement is a multifaceted response to the Pahalgam attack, addressing issues of national security, religious philosophy, social justice, and interfaith relations. It reflects the complex challenges facing India in a globalized world and the ongoing efforts to reconcile traditional values with modern realities. The speech attempts to solidify the RSS's position as a guardian of Indian values and a defender of national interests, while also projecting an image of tolerance and inclusivity. The success of this balancing act will depend on how the statement is interpreted and implemented in practice.
The RSS chief's speech deftly navigates the complexities of responding to terrorism while upholding core tenets of Hinduism. The assertion that India, as a nation, has never initiated aggression against its neighbors serves as a crucial starting point. It establishes a narrative of peaceful coexistence, portraying India as a responsible and non-provocative actor on the international stage. This is not merely a statement of historical fact; it's a strategic positioning of India within the global community, emphasizing its commitment to peaceful relations. However, the caveat – that India will defend itself if faced with evil – is equally important. This is not a contradiction but rather a recognition of the inherent right to self-preservation. The phrase 'turns to evil' is deliberately vague, allowing for interpretation and application to a range of scenarios, from direct military aggression to acts of terrorism like the Pahalgam attack. The reference to the 'duty of the king' is particularly significant. In modern parlance, this translates to the responsibility of the government to protect its citizens. It's a call for decisive action, invoking a sense of urgency and demanding that the state fulfill its primary obligation. The emphasis on non-violence as a core principle of Hinduism is crucial for maintaining a moral high ground. It prevents the response to terrorism from being framed as a clash of civilizations or a religious war. By highlighting Hinduism's commitment to peace, Bhagwat subtly undermines any attempts to portray the attackers as representative of a legitimate religious cause. The assertion that facing aggressors is equally part of dharma adds a layer of complexity. It acknowledges that pacifism cannot be absolute in the face of imminent danger. There is a moral imperative to defend oneself and one's community against violence. This is not a justification for indiscriminate violence or revenge but rather a call for courageous action in the face of injustice. The condemnation of the Pahalgam attack as a brutal reminder of the battle between dharma and adharma elevates the conflict to a cosmic level. It's not merely a political or security issue but a moral struggle between good and evil. This framing resonates deeply with religious audiences and reinforces the sense that defending against terrorism is a righteous cause. Bhagwat's observation about the attackers inquiring about the victims' religion is a chilling reminder of the sectarian nature of the violence. It highlights the targeting of specific religious groups and the underlying hatred that fuels such attacks. The assertion that 'Hindus would never do such a thing' is a powerful statement of cultural identity. It's a rejection of the notion that such acts are compatible with Hindu values and a reaffirmation of the religion's commitment to tolerance and pluralism. The disavowal of hatred and hostility as part of Indian culture is equally important. It sets a standard for the nation's response to terrorism, emphasizing that it must be guided by principles of justice and self-defense, not by blind vengeance or prejudice. The claim by The Resistance Front, a Pakistan-backed terror group, adds a geopolitical dimension to the issue. It underscores the external forces that are believed to be fueling the violence and highlights the complex challenges of combating terrorism in a region with a history of conflict. Bhagwat's call for a true understanding of Sanatan Dharma is a broader appeal for a return to fundamental values. It's a recognition that the best defense against extremism is a strong and cohesive society rooted in shared principles. The emphasis on truth, purity, compassion, and spiritual discipline is a call for individual and collective moral renewal. The rejection of 'oonch' and 'neech' and the condemnation of untouchability and discrimination are essential for building a more just and equitable society. These statements align the RSS with modern values of equality and inclusivity and challenge traditional hierarchies that have historically contributed to social division. The emphasis on respecting other religions without trying to change them is crucial for promoting peaceful coexistence in a diverse society. It's a recognition that religious pluralism is a strength, not a weakness, and that different faiths can coexist harmoniously. Overall, Bhagwat's speech is a carefully crafted message that seeks to balance the need for a strong response to terrorism with the importance of upholding core Hindu values and promoting social harmony. It's a complex and nuanced statement that reflects the challenges of navigating a complex and dangerous world.
The core message of the article revolves around the delicate balance between peaceful coexistence and the necessity of self-defense, a theme deeply embedded in philosophical and political discourse. Mohan Bhagwat's address, prompted by the tragic events in Jammu and Kashmir, serves as a platform to articulate this balance within the context of Indian identity and Hindu values. The initial statement, emphasizing India's historical avoidance of aggression against its neighbors, sets the stage for a narrative of restraint and responsibility. This assertion aims to project an image of India as a peace-loving nation, committed to maintaining amicable relations within the region. However, the subsequent clause, asserting the right to respond defensively when confronted with 'evil,' introduces a crucial element of realism. This acknowledges that the pursuit of peace cannot come at the expense of national security and the protection of its citizens. The term 'evil,' though broad, effectively encapsulates acts of terrorism and aggression that threaten the stability and integrity of the nation. The invocation of the 'duty of the king' resonates with traditional notions of governance and leadership. In this context, the 'king' represents the state, entrusted with the responsibility of safeguarding its people from harm. This analogy underscores the imperative for decisive action and reinforces the government's obligation to protect its citizens from external threats. The emphasis on non-violence as a core principle of Hinduism is a vital component of the message. It counters potential misinterpretations and prevents the response to terrorism from being framed as a religiously motivated conflict. By highlighting Hinduism's inherent commitment to peace, Bhagwat seeks to disassociate the religion from acts of violence and extremism. The assertion that facing aggressors is equally part of dharma adds a layer of complexity to the discussion. It acknowledges that pacifism, while laudable, cannot be an absolute principle in the face of imminent danger. There is a moral obligation to defend oneself, one's community, and one's nation against those who seek to inflict harm. This is not an endorsement of aggression or revenge but rather a recognition of the right to self-preservation and the duty to protect others. The condemnation of the Pahalgam attack as a manifestation of the battle between dharma and adharma elevates the conflict to a moral and spiritual plane. This framing resonates deeply with religious audiences and reinforces the sense that defending against terrorism is not merely a political or strategic imperative but also a righteous cause. Bhagwat's observation regarding the attackers' inquiry about the victims' religion highlights the sectarian nature of the violence and the underlying hatred that fuels such acts. This underscores the importance of promoting tolerance, understanding, and peaceful coexistence among diverse religious communities. The assertion that 'Hindus would never do such a thing' is a strong statement of cultural identity and a reaffirmation of Hindu values. It rejects the notion that such acts are compatible with the teachings of Hinduism and emphasizes the religion's commitment to compassion, empathy, and respect for all. The disavowal of hatred and hostility as part of Indian culture is equally important. It sets a standard for the nation's response to terrorism, emphasizing that it must be guided by principles of justice, fairness, and respect for human rights. The mention of The Resistance Front, a Pakistan-backed terror group, introduces a geopolitical dimension to the issue and highlights the complex challenges of combating terrorism in the region. This underscores the need for a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach that addresses both the root causes of terrorism and the external support networks that enable it. Bhagwat's call for a true understanding of Sanatan Dharma is a broader appeal for a return to fundamental values and a strengthening of the moral fabric of society. The emphasis on truth, purity, compassion, and spiritual discipline is a call for individual and collective renewal and a rejection of the divisive forces that threaten to undermine social harmony. The rejection of 'oonch' and 'neech' and the condemnation of untouchability and discrimination are essential for building a more just and equitable society. These statements align the RSS with modern values of equality and inclusivity and challenge traditional hierarchies that have historically contributed to social division and injustice. The emphasis on respecting other religions without attempting to convert them is crucial for fostering peaceful coexistence in a diverse society. It recognizes the value of religious pluralism and promotes mutual understanding and respect among different faiths. In summary, Mohan Bhagwat's address is a complex and nuanced response to the challenges of terrorism and social division. It seeks to balance the need for a strong defense against external threats with the importance of upholding core Hindu values and promoting social harmony. The message is carefully crafted to resonate with a broad audience and to address the diverse concerns of a complex and multifaceted society.
Source: We don't harm neighbours, but if they turn to evil...: RSS chief after J&K attack