New Delhi, April 27 -- India abides by the principle of "ahimsa" (non-violence) and never insults or harms her neighbours, but if someone turns to evil, then it is the duty of the ruler to protect the people, Rashtriya Swayamsevask Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat said on Saturday.

Though Bhagwat did not take any names, his remarks were seen as targeted at neighbouring Pakistan in the wake of the April 22 terrorist attack at Pahalgam in south Kashmir.

"Non-violence is our nature, part of our core values... Our non-violence is to encourage others to embrace it too. Some will follow our example, but some never change, no matter what you do, they keep creating nuisance. To give a befitting reply to such hooligans is also dharma," the RSS chie...