- By Abdul Rafay
Abdul Rafay is a writer, journalist, and social critic with a deep passion for history, politics, and societal issues. His work challenges conventional narratives, offering thought-provoking insights into cultural and political complexities. Through his writing, he sparks meaningful dialogue and encourages deeper understanding of the world’s evolving dynamics.
The recent terrorist incident in Pahalgam, Kashmir, has once again caused sadness and sorrow in the region. Innocent people were killed, families were devastated, and the cycle of bloodshed in Indian-administered Kashmir continues unabated. As a human being, I vehemently condemn this act of terror, regardless of who committed it. Violence against civilians is never acceptable, and my heart goes out to the victims and their loved ones. However, what follows such assaults in India has become a predictable and boring pattern: a quick, unfounded blame game against Pakistan, backed by sensationalist Indian media and a government unwilling to accept responsibility for its own security shortcomings.
Even before an inquiry could be undertaken, Indian media outlets and government officials were quick to blame Pakistan, claiming it was the mastermind behind the attack. This is not a novel tactic; India has used it for decades. When violence breaks out in Kashmir, whether owing to local militants, internal disagreements, or India’s harsh policies, the responsibility is readily deflected to Pakistan. Instead of addressing the core reasons of militancy in Kashmir, such as military occupation, human rights violations, and political disenfranchisement, the Indian government prefers to externalize the issue to promote nationalism and shift attention away from its flaws.
The Indian media, which is known for its hyper-nationalist propaganda, exaggerates these allegations without question. News outlets use sensationalist headlines, frequently referencing unnamed “intelligence sources,” to portray Pakistan as the perpetual enemy. There is no need for evidence or public investigations—only uncritical acceptance of the government’s story. This is not journalism; it is state-sponsored propaganda intended to keep the Indian population misinformed and antagonistic to Pakistan.
The Indian public’s tendency for accepting these unfounded claims is the result of decades of systematic brainwashing. The Indian education system, media, and political discourse have created an environment in which Pakistan is portrayed as the permanent enemy. Pakistan is routinely represented as a terrorist sponsor in everything from school textbooks to Bollywood films, while India’s own role in inciting instability in Kashmir is downplayed.
Furthermore, the Modi government’s Hindutva philosophy is based on anti-Pakistan rhetoric. By establishing an external bogeyman, the BJP diverts attention away from home issues such as economic hardship, rising unemployment, religious persecution of minorities, and its harsh occupation of Kashmir. The average Indian civilian, fed a regular diet of misinformation, has no idea why their government fails to prevent such attacks while having one of the highest military and paramilitary presences in Kashmir.
Where was the security in Pahalgam? If India claims to have “the most powerful intelligence agencies,” why do these attacks continue? The reality is that India’s heavy-handed militarization of Kashmir has fuelled further enmity and terrorism. The young of Kashmir, who are subjected to arbitrary arrests, torture, and extrajudicial killings, are increasingly turning to armed resistance. However, instead of introspection, India has blamed Pakistan, heightening tensions.
India’s enmity toward Pakistan goes beyond rhetoric. In recent years, it has used information and resources to isolate Pakistan regionally. For example, India has systematically banned Pakistani YouTube channels, news outlets, and social media accounts in the name of countering “fake news” and “anti-national content.” In 2022 alone, over 100 Pakistani channels were shut, including those run by independent Kashmiri journalists who documented Indian atrocities in the region. This censorship is not about security, but about stifling opposition and controlling the narrative. By suppressing Pakistani perspectives, India ensures that its populace is fed a single, state-approved narrative portraying Pakistan as a renegade state. This deliberate information apartheid reinforces the propaganda cycle, making it easier for the Indian public to swallow baseless accusations about Pakistan’s involvement in attacks like Pahalgam.
Similarly, India has used shared assets to punish Pakistan. The Indus Water Treaty (IWT), signed in 1960, gives India control of the eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) and Pakistan control of the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab). Despite being a legally binding international pact, India has regularly threatened to abrogate or manipulate the treaty, most notably during the 2019 Pulwama assault, when Modi warned to “stop every drop of water” from reaching Pakistan. While India maintains that these steps are about “utilizing resources responsibly,” experts worry that restricting water supplies might damage Pakistani agriculture, which is heavily reliant on the Indus Basin. These activities are more than just economic warfare; they are acts of collective retribution against ordinary Pakistanis, highlighting India’s contempt for regional stability and international law.
India frequently boasts about its surgical strikes and so-called counterterrorism victories, but assaults continue to occur at an alarming rate. The truth is that India’s approach isn’t working. Its policies in Kashmir are not only unsuccessful; they are worsening the situation. The Modi government’s decision to abolish Article 370 in 2019, removing Kashmir’s autonomy, was met with promises of peace and development. Instead, the region has experienced heightened militancy, internet restrictions, and a complete media blackout to conceal human rights atrocities.
When attacks occur, the Indian people do not hold their government accountable. There are no large protests demanding improved security measures or fury over intelligence failures. Instead, resentment is focused outward—at Pakistan—because it is easier to blame an external opponent than to address one’s own leadership mistakes. This is a harmful worldview that allows the Indian government to maintain harsh actions without repercussions.
Pakistan has frequently denied involvement in cross-border terrorism and even offered to cooperate with inquiries, but India refuses to engage constructively. Instead, it uses imprecise allegations and contrived situations to substantiate its rhetoric. The international community, including the United Nations, has repeatedly called for impartial inquiries into Kashmir, but India has rejected these requests, knowing full well that its narrative will crumble under examination.
If India has genuine evidence of Pakistan’s involvement, why not present it to international bodies? Why not let unbiased observers investigate the claims? The answer is simple: there is no reliable proof. The blame game is a political tactic, not a counterterrorism approach.
Until India admits its part in fuelling violence in Kashmir, the cycle of bloodshed will continue. The Pahalgam incident is tragic but exploiting it for political benefit and fanning anti-Pakistan sentiment will not bring peace. The Indian media must cease being a spokesperson for the administration and begin asking uncomfortable questions. The Indian people must awaken from their nationalism frenzy and demand responsibility from their leaders.
Pakistan has suffered greatly from terrorism and has worked tirelessly to eradicate militant groups from its soil. We do not condone violence, nor do we profit from the instability in Kashmir. It is time for India to stop using Pakistan as a scapegoat for its failures and address the root causes of Kashmir’s problems, which include occupation, oppression, and denial of basic human rights. Only then is there any possibility for peace.
