RSS teachings at core of the decsion to carry out surgical strikes: Manohar Parrikar

Ahmedabad: In comments that may stoke a controversy, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Monday said the teaching imparted by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) was at the core of the agreement between him and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to carry out surgical strikes in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Speaking at a function here, Parrikar said, “Prime Minister from the land of Mahatma Gandhi, Defence Minister from Goa, where there is no martial race, and surgical strike; equation was different, maybe RSS teaching was the basic core...but this was quite a different type of combination.”

The Congress was quick to slam Parrikar for the comment and alleged that the Defence Minister is demeaning the valour of soldiers by giving the credit for the surgical strikes to the RSS.

Earlier in the day, Parrikar said the Indian Army was giving a befitting reply to such ceasefire violations.

"Ceasefire violations have taken place in hundreds for the last five-six years...Check out the figures. The only difference is that if they do it now, we give a befitting reply," he said.

An Indian Army jawan was on Sunday killed as Pakistani troops violated ceasefire twice along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district.

Parrikar had earlier equated the Indian Army to 'Hanuman' and made a reference to the Ramayana in which the Ram's disciple crossed an ocean in a single stride after he was reminded about his extraordinary powers by Jamwant.