RSS Chief Meets PM Modi to Discuss Pahalgam Terror Attack

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg on Tuesday evening. The meeting was reportedly focused on discussing the Pahalgam terror attack and its aftermath. This session followed a high-level meeting chaired by Modi earlier in the day, where the country's top defense officials were present, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan, and the three armed forces chiefs.

Bhagwat, who had been in the capital since the previous week, had made a public appearance at a book launch on Saturday. During the event, he quoted from Chanakyaniti, emphasizing the king’s duty to protect his people. He elaborated on his thoughts about non-violence, a value that is deeply ingrained in Indian culture. Bhagwat stated that non-violence, or “ahimsa,” is part of their core nature, reflecting a fundamental value that the RSS holds dear. However, he explained that the RSS's interpretation of ahimsa extends beyond mere passive non-violence. According to Bhagwat, ahimsa also involves making others non-violent. He acknowledged that some people may adopt non-violence, while others might not. Bhagwat also invoked the death of Ravana from Hindu mythology to underscore his point, saying that Ravana's death, though violent, was in his own benefit and was an act of divine justice, which he characterized as a form of ahimsa.

Bhagwat further explained that non-violence was not just about passive restraint but also about not allowing oneself to be harmed by tyrants. He highlighted that while it was the inherent nature of the RSS to never insult or harm its neighbors, there were exceptions if others resorted to evil. He emphasized that when faced with such actions, the king’s duty was to protect his people. Bhagwat used this philosophical backdrop to stress that protection and defense against injustice were core aspects of duty, similar to the role of a ruler in safeguarding his citizens. His statements reflected his belief in active defense when faced with external threats, a sentiment that resonated with his position on security issues.

This philosophy aligns with the context of the Pahalgam terror attack, which had occurred just days before the meeting. The Pahalgam attack, attributed to militants, was a reminder of the increasing security challenges in the region. The discussion about the attack and Bhagwat’s comments on security and protection seem to reflect a broader concern with national defense and the duty of leadership to ensure the safety of the populace.

Following the meeting, Prime Minister Modi, in his teleconference with senior defense officials, took stock of the situation and deliberated on the measures to be taken in response to such incidents. The government’s strategy appeared to align with the sentiments expressed by Bhagwat regarding the protection of citizens and the responsibility of the leadership to act decisively when faced with threats, particularly in volatile regions like Jammu and Kashmir.

In conclusion, the meeting between Bhagwat and Modi, which focused on national security concerns such as the Pahalgam terror attack, underscored the alignment between the RSS's ideological stance on defense and the government's approach to addressing such challenges. Bhagwat's remarks on non-violence and the king’s duty to protect further emphasized the need for both moral leadership and strong protective measures when responding to external threats.