Good news during troubling times
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The conscience of world is still reeling from the shock of the brutal terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam. The massacre occurred at a time when tourists had begun travelling again to Kashmir, once hailed as 'heaven on earth’, and thus shooting and killings had begun to fade from the headlines, which gave a deceptive sense of relief. At this crucial juncture, local residents were striving hard to recover from decades of conflict and suffering. An act like this, which turns the lives and livelihoods of those living in this paradise on earth into a living hell in every sense, can never be the act of someone who truly loves Kashmir or its people. This attack came at a time when Kashmiris are striving to heal the deep wounds inflicted repeatedly on their land, minds, and economy, and are working hard to rebuild and reclaim their lives. As Sanjiv Krishan Sood, a long-serving officer in the country’s border security force and special protection group, rightly observed, what happened in Pahalgam was “an attack on the soul of Kashmir and Kashmiris.”
Syed Adil Hussain Shah, who used to assist tourists with horse rides was killed while bravely trying to resist the terrorists and protect innocent lives. The compassion and support shown by Kashmiris to the families of the victims and those who cut short their travels after the attack is beyond words. The daughter of an elderly Keralite who was shot dead by the terrorists said, “I got two brothers from Kashmir” reflecting the warmth and solidarity she received. In a gesture of protest against terrorism and showing solidarity with the victims, Kashmiri shopkeepers in Srinagar and Pahalgam shut down their businesses, much like on a bandh day. Even in the middle of this chaos, the way Kashmiris ensured that there was drinking water for tourists and set up makeshift shelters was not just a display of hospitality - it was a reflection of the profound humanity that they hold dear. Yet, despite all this, a deeply troubling attempt began on the very first night from some media and several social media reporters, who are close to the government, to blame the Kashmiri people for the brutality of the terrorists and the government's failure to detect the attack in advance. The narrative pushed by these media and social media 'judges' calls for 'Israel-style' operations in Kashmir.
The consequences of such rhetoric are already being seen. Extremist Hindutva groups in states like Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Punjab have reportedly issued ultimatums to Kashmiri students to leave immediately. The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association has highlighted at least eight incidents, including one in Chandigarh where students were brutally assaulted in their hostel. Genocidal calls and Islamophobic slogans are echoing not just in the streets but across digital platforms as well. This deliberate hatred being directed at an entire community under the guise of outrage against terrorism is a sinister misdirection that should not just be recognized for what it is but also firmly opposed. In the wake of the Pahalgam attack, India has rightly issued strong warnings to Pakistan and is reportedly taking significant measures, including moves to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty. Pakistan, in turn, has responded by deciding to suspend the Shimla Agreement, deny Indian aircraft access to its airspace, and halt trade relations. Both nations are already grappling with economic distress including rising inflation, tariff wars, devaluation of currency, and a crisis in agricultural markets. Cutting trade ties and disrupting cooperative frameworks will only deepen this instability. Pakistan must truly back out from the continued support of terrorist groups and the patronage of separatist elements operating on Kashmiri soil. Maintaining peace in the region is of that much importance to the world.
