Hindus should 'keep swords, knives' at home for self-defence, says RSS leader

Mangaluru (Karnataka) | Senior Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat suggested that "Hindus should keep swords and knives at home for self-defence", citing the recent terror attack in Pahalgam.

Speaking at an event in Varkady, Manjeshwar, in Kerala’s Kasaragod district on Monday, Bhat claimed, “Every Hindu household should keep a sword. If Hindus had shown a sword during the Pahalgam attack, that would have been enough.”

He also urged women to carry knives in their vanity bags alongside the usual items they carry.

The RSS leader claimed that carrying a six-inch knife does not require a 'licence' and added, “If you’re out after dusk, there is every chance of an attack. Don’t plead with attackers—just show the knife and they will run away.”

His comments have drawn attention on social media and among political circles.

Referring to past communal tensions, Bhat claimed, “Earlier, during Hindu-Muslim clashes, Hindus used to flee. That’s changing now. We must rise, and everyone must keep a sword at home.”

There has been no official police statement on the remarks thus far.