RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat (PTI photo)

NEW DELHI: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Saturday said India has “non-violence” in nature, but if someone “turns to evil”, teaching a lesson is also a religion.
Bhagwat’s remark comes as the nation seethes over the killing of 26 people, mostly tourists, by the Pakistan-backed terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22.
“Non-violence is our nature, our value… But some people will not change, no matter what you do, they will keep troubling the world, so what to do about it? … Non-violence is our religion. Teaching a lesson to hooligans is also our religion. We never insult or harm our neighbours. But still, if someone turns to evil, what is the other option? The duty of the king is to protect the people, the king must perform his duty,” the RSS chief was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
On Thursday, Bhagwat said terrorists killed people in Pahalgam after asking about their religion, and Hindus would never do such a thing. “We hope for a strong response,” he said at a public event.
“People were killed after being asked about their religion. Hindus would never do such a thing,” the RSS chief said, adding “the battle is between dharma and adharma.”
“There is pain in our hearts. We are angry. But to destroy evil, strength must be shown. Ravana refused to change his mind, and there was no other option. Ram killed him only after giving him a chance to reform,” he said.
The RSS chief also said that unity within society was essential to prevent such tragedies and deter malicious intent.
“If we are united, no one will dare to look at us with ill intentions. And if someone does, their eye will be smashed. We hope for a strong response,” he said. “Hatred and hostility are not in our nature. But neither is silently enduring harm. A truly non-violent person must also be strong. If there is no strength, there is no choice. But when there is strength, it must be visible when needed,” he stated.