Air Marshal Awadhesh Kumar Bharti’s remarks on Monday carried both strategic clarity and poetic symbolism as India defended its military actions under Operation Sindoor. In a press conference, he invoked a powerful verse from the Ramcharitmanas by Tulsidas, previously used in a military video, to justify India's strong response to Pakistan’s support for terrorism:
"Vinay na maanat jaladh jad gaye teen din beeti. Bole Ram sakop tab, bhay binu hoye na preeti."("The ocean, unmoved by polite requests, remained obstinate for three days. Then Lord Rama, in anger, said — without fear, love does not arise.")
With this, Air Marshal Bharti conveyed that India’s hand was forced by Pakistan’s continued provocations and refusal to curb terror activities, much like Lord Rama’s recourse to force when diplomacy failed. His use of this line highlighted India's shift from restraint to retaliation — a move designed to send a powerful message to Islamabad.
Reinforcing India's tactical strength, Bharti praised the Integrated Air Command and Control System for thwarting Pakistan’s retaliatory attempts, asserting that all Indian military bases remain “fully operational and ready” for any future missions.
His comments followed the ceasefire understanding between India and Pakistan, which came after India’s pre-dawn precision strikes on May 7 targeting nine terror infrastructures across Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. These strikes came in response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 civilians.
Bharti summed up India’s stance by saying the conflict was originally against terrorists, but Pakistan’s military involvement “widened the conflict.” He called it regrettable that a state military chose to shield terrorist infrastructure.
