Daily Times

Instead of heeding the counsel of rational voices in and outside the country, the Indian authorities have unfortunately preferred playing to the gallery in the post-Pulwama attack situation. When serving Indian military officers are cautioning that such high quantities of explosives could not have been transported from across the Line of Control (LoC), New Delhi really could have avoided needless jingoism and instead pay more attention to investigations. This is all the more important given Pakistan has unequivocally condemned the attack and expressed its desire to cooperate with the investigation.

With the Modi administration pointing fingers towards Pakistan without providing any evidence, the ratings-driven corporate media across the border has found an opportunity to stir war hysteria. Bollywood and Indian cricket celebrities have been quick to jump the bandwagon, with highly irresponsible statements which will only damage the cause of peace and further the designs of hate-mongers and hawks on both sides.

In this situation, the worst affected have been Kashmiri Muslims who are being harassed by Hindutva goons. There have been multiple reports about Kashmiris, particularly in the states of Uttarkhand and Haryana, are being forced to vacate rented properties and to leave towns where they live for education and employment. While New Delhi has issued a public safety alert in view of the situation, more would be needed on its part to ensure protection of Kashmiris living in India.

The authorities must realise that it is simply impossible for them to stir war hysteria, on the one hand, by accusing Pakistan without any evidence to the effect, and to keep the Hindutva brigade in check at the same time. The latter feeds on the anti-Muslim, anti-Pakistan rhetoric, and the Modi administration has provided it with an open field by opting for shortsighted jingoism instead of a rational approach. The Modi administration as well as the state institutions in New Delhi know fully well that a war is desirable to neither side given the economic cost it will entail; both countries have a lot at stake in terms of their economic performance indicators. In this situation, India’s shortsighted approach, merely directed at improving its chances in the upcoming election, is having disastrous consequences for the people on both sides. The authorities in New Delhi will be well advised to tone down on the jingoist rhetoric and control the Hindutva brigade and its attacks on innocent civilians. Enough blood has been shed in Indian-occupied Kashmir, and it has only served vested interests away from the Valley. It’s about time all sides start pondering upon a peaceful resolution to the dispute.  *

Published in Daily Times, February 19^th 2019.