As emotions run high after the deadly terror attack in Kashmir’s Pahalgam, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has struck a careful balance between national outrage and India’s traditional values of measured response. While demands for immediate military retaliation surfaced within the Sangh Parivar, Bhagwat chose to respond with calls for “wise retaliation,” drawing from ancient scriptures and history to guide the national mood.
In two significant speeches delivered in Mumbai and Delhi after the attack, Bhagwat condemned the violence but rejected rash or reactionary military aggression. Instead, he invoked the Ramayana and Mahabharata to emphasise the importance of restraint, even in the face of immense grief and anger. His approach has shaped the RSS’s response at a time when pressure for strong action against Pakistan is peaking.
While sections within the RSS, including leaders like Swami Vigyananand, urged for an uncompromising strike against those responsible, Bhagwat’s message was one of strength guided by values. Citing Ravana’s downfall and lessons from Arjun’s hesitation in the Mahabharata, he suggested that any response must be righteous and well-calculated. Bhagwat also recalled India’s missteps during the 1962 war, subtly warning against repeating past errors born from emotional decisions.
Resisting Aggression With Indian Wisdom
Addressing a gathering in Delhi, Bhagwat stated that retaliation doesn’t always require weapons alone. He stressed unity and inner strength as key tools in defeating terrorism, saying India must not tolerate provocation but also avoid becoming aggressors. His message stood in contrast to more hardline voices calling for immediate revenge.
His remarks followed a passionate plea by Delhi University Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh, who questioned why Hindus were repeatedly targeted. Yet, Bhagwat remained composed, reiterating that anger must be channelled wisely and India’s dignity should not be compromised in the rush to respond.
Strategic Calm Over Escalation
In Mumbai, his message continued in the same vein. Condemning the attack as an assault on India’s sovereignty, he acknowledged the sorrow and fury it had sparked. But rather than advocate for a hasty military answer, he urged the country to act with clarity and strength rooted in character. Bhagwat’s speeches served to stabilise the narrative within the Sangh, offering a direction that balanced assertiveness with thoughtful restraint in the face of terror.
