As the recent virality of the "izzat" concept has shown us, this is the default position of an Indian who is scared or feels his (or his "caste's") honor has been called into question. He is trying to act big and tough to intimidate you into backing down, in which he will claim victory as the most honorable and strongest.

That isn't to say this isn't true feelings, or he has no power, but it is why they feel the need to go full 100% now that we are resisting them.