India’s RSS chief favors nuclear war if other means to curb terrorism fail

According to a report by Jawed Naqvi of DAWN newspaper, datelined 12 December, the head of India’s rightwing Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS, National Volunteers Corps) has warned that a nuclear war with Pakistan could become inevitable unless other means are found to curb terrorism. Such a war could precipitate World War III, which might, however, cleanse the world of evil.

K.S. Sudarshan is the all powerful supreme leader of the RSS, which is expected to wield even greater clout in India’s next government. His interview was widely distributed by email on 11 December.

He considered the Mumbai terror attacks as part of a bigger plan to dismember India into many pieces. “We are tolerant, but a very brave society. We were defeated and enslaved only when we were disunited.”

Mr Sudarshan added that while he wanted India to probe all other means to resolve the terror issue with Pakistan it should be prepared for war, which could easily turn into a nuclear war.

Freelance journalist Chetan Upadhyaya asked Sudarshan if India should go for a full-fledged war with Pakistan. He replied: "If there is no other way left. Whenever the demons (Aasuri powers) start dominating this planet, there is no way other than the war. Tell me if there is any other way out. But war should be the last resort. Before that Bharat should consider other options"

He acknowledged that a war against Pakistan would escalate into a nuclear conflict, and a large number of people would perish.

"In fact, not me alone but many people around the world have expressed their apprehension that this terrorism may ultimately result in a Third World War. And this will be a nuclear war in which many of us are going to be finished. But according to me, as of now, it is very necessary to defeat the demons (Aasuri powers) and there is no other way."

"And let me say with confidence that after this destruction, a new world will emerge, which will be very good, free from evil and terrorism."

When his attention was drawn to Prime Minister Manmohan SinghManmohan Singh’s government stand war was not the right solution to deal with the current standoff with Pakistan, Sudarshan said: "The government should do what the public says."