Expressing regret over the loss of lives in a terrorist attack on a police training academy in Quetta, Pakistan in which 60 cadets died, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar cited the example of ‘Bhasmasur’ and said such incidents show why one should not create “uncontrollable violence.” He also rejected Pakistan’s allegations of India’s involvement in the attack, saying India does not believe in violence, least of all such kind of violence adding terrorism anywhere and in any form cannot be justified.
Parrikar clarified that he was not likening any country to any ‘asur’ (demon) when asked about the Quetta attack and said there is a saying in India about ‘Bhasmasur.’ According to the Hindu mythology, ‘Bhasmasur’ was a demon who was burned to ashes through his own power that he used to terrorise others with.
The Defence Minister said the attack shows the importance of not creating uncontrollable violence.
“You need to control anything that the State does. Non-state actors should not be supported by any country. That is the crux of our security doctrine. We have said that non-state actors, who are involved in terrorism, should be curtailed. Sometimes it can bounce on you also. I think this is one of such event,” Parrikar said.