Pahalgam witnessed one of the most horrifying terror attacks in recent memory. On April 22, 5–6 armed Islamist terrorists unleashed indiscriminate but targeted violence, killing 26 innocent civilians—many of them tourists—after first confirming their religious identity. Survivors say victims were asked whether they were Hindus, and those who said yes were shot point blank. The savage assault, carried out in one of Bharat’s most loved tourist destinations, has triggered nationwide outrage and soul-searching.
Reacting sharply to the carnage, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat delivered a fiery and deeply introspective address during an event in Mumbai, declaring that this is not a battle between religions or sects—but a fundamental war between Dharma and Adharma, good versus evil. Dr Bhagwat categorically stated, “A true Hindu will never ask someone their religion and kill them. This is against our very ethos. What happened in Pahalgam is a demonic act rooted in religious fanaticism. And those who do this are not followers of Dharma—they are Rakshasas.”
Drawing from the Ramayana, Dr Bhagwat invoked the moral imperative behind Bhagwan Ram’s war against Ravana. “Ravana was a learned man, a devotee of Bhagwan Shiva. But despite all his knowledge, he chose the path of Adharma. Even he was given chances to change—but when he refused, Bhagwan Ram was compelled to kill him. Similarly, those who have chosen the path of hate and terrorism today must be eliminated to protect Dharma.”
Dr Bhagwat said that those who support or rationalise such killings are enablers of evil. He stressed that while non-violence and compassion are the hallmarks of the Bharatiya civilisation, passivity in the face of genocidal violence is not an option. “Violence is not in our nature, but nor is helplessness. A weak man has no choice but nonviolence, but a powerful man chooses peace by choice. That choice must now be backed by visible strength.”
In a hard-hitting warning that expanded the threat perception beyond immediate physical violence, Dr Mohan Bhagwat cautioned about the ongoing demographic war being waged silently across many districts in Bharat. “Terrorism doesn’t always come with a gun. Changing the demographic structure of our country is also a form of invasion—one that threatens our culture, civilisational values, and national integrity.”
He said that some elements are working to change the very soul of Bharat and warned that ignoring this silent onslaught will prove fatal to the nation’s future. “India’s future will be secure only if we ensure balance—both cultural and population-wise,” he said.
Dr Bhagwat applauded the wave of national unity that surged following the Pahalgam killings. “This time, the pain of the people transcended barriers of caste, creed, region, or party. It was a collective cry against brutality. This unity is our true strength,” he said, urging the nation to not let this solidarity be momentary.
He called upon all Bharatiyas to cultivate deeper emotional integration and to reject the narrative of sectarianism being pushed by divisive forces. “We must feel for each other, not just coexist but emotionally bond. That is what the Constitution of Bharat expects of us—oneness of soul and purpose.”
In a stirring metaphor, Dr Bhagwat said, “Today, to destroy this modern-day Ravana, we need a Ma Durga—power with 18 hands. That power lies in our organisation, unity, and moral clarity.”
Underscoring the critical role of collective strength, Dr Bhagwat remarked, “When we remain united, no one will dare to look us in the eye. And if they do, their eyes will be gouged out. This is not a threat—it is a vow to protect the dignity of our people.”
He added that the nation cannot afford to let its guard down again, as it did before the 1962 war. “That war taught us that self-delusion about peace without preparation is dangerous. We must now be alert, resilient, and fierce if required.”
At the same event, RSS Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh Sunil Ambekar delivered a stern warning against those who misuse political mandates to push radical agendas. “Forcing your vision upon the nation in the name of electoral mandate is dictatorship. Real politics is about consensus and truth-telling.”
He urged citizens and civil society to not remain silent spectators. “When leaders act like monarchs, followers must not behave like slaves. Large religious and social organisations must voice the national interest, or else extremists will hijack the discourse under the guise of democracy.”
RSS’s Manmohan Vaidya, meanwhile, gave a cultural and constitutional perspective on the crisis. Speaking about the Ashoka Chakra at the center of the Tricolour, Manmohan Vaidya emphasised that the Dharma Chakra represents the eternal principles of justice, duty, and righteousness—not any one religion. “We are a land of spiritual diversity but cultural unity. Dharma unites us all—it is not a sectarian word but a civilisational principle.”
In New Delhi, the Centre has gone into high gear following the attack. Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan chaired a high-level security review in Jammu and Kashmir, attended by IB Director Tapan Deka and R&AW chief Ravi Sinha. The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) had already met a day earlier. According to security sources, surgical retribution is on the table.
More than 10,000 tourists have already fled the Valley since the massacre, with 110 flights operating out of Srinagar on April 24 alone. Officials said over 14,000 passengers were ferried, highlighting the terror-induced disruption to normalcy and economy.
