Cultivating Peace among Rowdies: Mohan Bhagwat's Religious Belief

Rewritten Article:

In the wake of the devastating Pahalgam terror attack that claimed the lives of 26 innocents, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat underlined the bedrock importance of non-violence in Indian culture, but also underscored the paramount need to take a tough stance against threats that jeopardize society and the nation. Addressing a book launch event, Bhagwat declared, "Teaching a lesson to hooligans is our religion, but peace is the essence we carry in our hearts. Some people will never change, no matter what you do, they'll keep troubling the world, so what do we do about it?"

Referencing an anecdote from the Ramayana, Bhagwat maintained, "Non-violence is our religion, but teaching a lesson to troublemakers is also our religion. Neighbors we respect, but if a neighbor turns rogue, there's only one option – the king must protect his people, fulfill his duty."

Amid heightened security concerns following the Pahalgam incident, intelligence agencies have identified 14 local terrorists actively collaborating with foreign jihadists based in Pakistan in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. These operatives, aged between 20 to 40 years, are reportedly providing logistical and ground support to their foreign counterparts. The terrorists are believed to belong to three main Pakistan-sponsored outfits: Hizbul Mujahideen, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).

In response to the Pahalgam attack, the RSS Chief had earlier asserted that the current conflict is more profoundly about 'dharma' (righteousness) and 'adharma' (unrighteousness) than a mere clash between religious sects. Speaking at an event in Mumbai, Bhagwat declared that the fanatics who murder people based on their religious beliefs would never be found among adherents of Hinduism.

Bhagwat's opinions encapsulate a combination of philosophical ideals and practical actions, stressing non-violence as a guiding principle, but advocating for decisive action against persistent threats to safety. Emphasizing the nature of leaders, Bhagwat asserted, "Leaders have to strike a balance between using force when necessary and fostering peace whenever possible, like shown in the Mahabharata where Arjuna was guided by Krishna to fight against his own kin."

Referencing the Ramayana, Bhagwat argued, "Non-violence shouldn't be confused as passive acceptance; it's about addressing evil, purifying oneself and the world, and upholding righteousness."

Moreover, Bhagwat emphasized that "[t]he Bhagavad Gita's paradox isn't a contradiction but a means to safeguard and heal society." In this context, he referenced Arjuna's struggle to reconcile the necessity of warfare when dealing with unregenerate adversaries who refused peace. Bhagwat maintained that leaders must prioritize the greater good and be willing to face harsh realities in order to protect the weak and the defenseless.

In a broader context, Bhagwat depicted the Pahalgam attack as a symptom of the ongoing struggle between dharma and adharma. He denounced hostile neighbors, warning, "[t]he people of India will never acquiesce to the forces that seek to harm us. We will protect ourselves and defend our values, because dharma demands it."

In a telling analogy, Bhagwat compared modern terrorists to Ravana, a historical antagonist who ultimately met his end at the hands of Rama. Maintaining that Ravana was a fervent believer who deserved divine intervention, Bhagwat contrasted Ravana's standing with that of contemporary terrorists. In his words, "Terrorists are no Ravanas; they're delinquents who lack any semblance of dignity, and they demand an earthly response."

In summary, Bhagwat's stance represents a fusion of spiritual ideals and worldly concerns, advocating non-violence as an aspirational principle while insisting on the necessity of confronting threats that affect the well-being of society and the nation.

In a recent book launch event, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat expressed that teaching a lesson to troublemakers is part of Hindus' religion, while maintaining peace is the essence they carry in their hearts.
After the Pahalgam terror attack, Bhagwat expressed concerns about unrighteousness and unregenerate adversaries who refuse peace, likening them to the historical antagonist Ravana, a fervent believer who met his end through just means.
During a Mumbai event, Bhagwat asserted that the current conflict is more profoundly about 'dharma' (righteousness) and 'adharma' (unrighteousness) than a mere clash between religious sects. He maintained that leaders must balance using force when necessary and fostering peace whenever possible.
Intelligence agencies have identified 14 local terrorists working with foreign jihadists in Jammu and Kashmir. These terrorists, belonging to Pakistan-sponsored outfits such as Hizbul Mujahideen, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), are providing logistical and ground support to their foreign counterparts, posing a significant threat to national security.