'Hindus would never do this': RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Pahalgam terror attack

The RSS chief said the wave of anger that swept the nation after the terror attack did not differentiate by caste, religion, creed, sect, region, or party

In the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat said that “Hindus would never do this”.

"Extremists who misinterpret their own faith commit such horrific acts, but a Hindu will never do that. Killing Ravana was the only way to usher righteousness and some elements need to be taught such a lesson," said Bhagwat while speaking at a function in Mumbai.

Twenty six tourists - 25 Indians and one Nepali citizen - died in the attack on Tuesday at Baisaran, dubbed 'mini Switzerland' for its meadow. The Resistance Front, a shadow group of the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror group, claimed responsibility.

According to him, the current fight is between “dharma” (righteousness) and “adharma”. "Everyone is sad, there is anger in our hearts as it should be, because to destroy the demons, immense power is necessary. But some people are not ready to understand this, and there cannot be any kind of change in them now. Ravana was a devotee of Lord Shiva, knew the Vedas, had everything that was needed to be a good person, but the mind and intellect he had adopted were not ready to change. Ravana would not have changed until he died and was reborn. That is why Ram killed Ravana to change him," said the RSS chief.

The RSS chief said the wave of anger that swept the nation after the terror attack 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.

Prime Minister Modi on Thursday said the terrorists who carried out the Pahalgam attack and those who plotted it would "get a punishment they cannot imagine". “I say to the whole world. India will identify, track and punish every terrorist and their backers. We will pursue them to the ends of the earth. India's spirit will never be broken by terrorism. Terrorism will not go unpunished. Every effort will be made to ensure that justice is done. The entire nation is firm in this resolve. Everyone who believes in humanity is with us. I thank the people of various countries and their leaders who have stood with us during this time," he said.