In the aftermath of the tragic terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of over two dozen civilians, the conversation in India has shifted beyond politics and security&mdash;into the realm of spiritual and ethical introspection. Speaking at a religious gathering in Maharashtra, Rastriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat described the unfolding turmoil as a &ldquo;battle between Dharma and Adharma,&rdquo; invoking a deeply rooted concept in India&rsquo;s philosophical heritage. Bhagwat&rsquo;s words echoed far beyond the confines of religious thought, striking a chord in a nation grappling with rising polarization, violence, and ethical uncertainty. He emphasized that atrocities committed in the name of religion do not represent true Dharma, but rather stem from an incomplete or misguided understanding of it. &ldquo;Improper and incomplete knowledge of Dharma leads to Adharma,&rdquo; he stated, warning against the distortion of sacred principles to justify hate and division. In Indian thought, Dharma transcends mere religious practice. It signifies moral order, duty, and the pursuit of truth and justice. It is the principle that binds individuals to their responsibilities&mdash;toward family, society, nature, and the cosmos. Dharma is what sustains harmony and balance. Contrastingly, Adharma represents disorder, selfishness, injustice, and cruelty&mdash;everything that threatens societal balance. When acts of terror are carried out in the name of religion, as was the case in the Pahalgam attack allegedly linked to The Resistance Front, they are not only criminal acts but also spiritually corrupt, Bhagwat argued. In a time when lines between faith and fanaticism are often blurred, Bhagwat&rsquo;s call for a deeper understanding of Dharma serves as both a moral and social intervention. He urged citizens to educate themselves on the essence of Dharma&mdash;not through blind tradition, but through reason, reflection, and compassion. This message resonates in a larger national context, where religious identity is frequently politicized, and ideological divides run deep. Bhagwat's comments seek to re-center the discourse around inner ethics rather than outer rituals, and around unity instead of division. When does silence become complicity? When does action become a moral duty? Bhagwat&rsquo;s framing of the current crisis as a dharmic one invites Indians to consider their own roles&mdash;not just in condemning violence, but in actively upholding values of justice, truth, and compassion in their daily lives. As India mourns the victims of the Pahalgam tragedy, the country is once again reminded that the threats it faces are not only external, but also internal&mdash;rooted in ignorance, hate, and the erosion of shared values. The battle between Dharma and Adharma is not limited to scripture or symbolism&mdash;it plays out in neighborhoods, institutions, and even personal choices. In this defining moment, the call is not just for justice in the legal sense, but for a national awakening to the deeper, timeless truths that have always guided Indian civilization. <a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb34ERXCnA7lrMp57S3N" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Follow the Benefit News channel on WhatsApp</a>

RSS chief urges India to ‘look inward—confronting not just terror, but moral choices’

Dharma or Adharma? India at Crossroads

RSS chief urges India to ‘look inward—confronting not just terror, but moral choices’

April 25, 2025 | 17:12 IST