The Pahalgam terror attack, which left 26 people dead, should have brought the nation together against the common enemy—terrorism. However, in the wake of the attack, social media and public narratives are increasingly exploiting the situation to further divide India along religious lines. The tragic event has triggered a sequence of hate campaigns against Muslims and Kashmiris, questioning their loyalty and even justifying violence against them. We explore how divisive rhetoric is replacing unity and why questioning the government is now being treated as an act of treason.
The Impact on Kashmiris:
Post-attack, several incidents of violence and threats have been reported across India. For instance, in Uttarakhand, Kashmiri students were given an ultimatum to leave the state within 24 hours.
In Mussoorie, two Kashmiri shawl sellers were attacked, and 16 others were forced to leave.
A Hindu extremist group in Haryana attacked Muslim-owned shops, further stoking religious tension.
Political & Legal Repercussions:
Singer Neha Singh Rathore, known for her politically charged songs, faced an FIR under sedition charges for questioning the government after the Pahalgam attack.
Dr. Madri Kakoti, an academic, tweeted about religious violence and faced similar legal consequences. The government has taken action against individuals who question its handling of security and instead placed blame on them for "disturbing national integrity."
While figures like Neha Singh Rathore face legal action for raising questions, there has been no meaningful legal repercussion for the individuals spreading hate against Muslims and Kashmiris.
Religious Hate Campaigns:
A video by Manoj Chaudhary, a self-proclaimed cow protector, made headlines where he claimed responsibility for killing Muslims and vowed revenge for the 26 killed in Pahalgam.
Similarly, many social media campaigns are targeting Kashmiris, with posts claiming that Muslims across India are the "same DNA" as the perpetrators of terrorism.
Hate speech and communal violence are rising in frequency, with platforms like X and Instagram becoming hotbeds for divisive rhetoric. Hate songs with lyrics such as, "We made a big mistake by giving you shelter here. The country was meant to be different for you, why didn't you leave with your family?", were released on YouTube the next day of Pahalgam attack.
While terrorism targets individuals based on their religion, the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack reveals how deeply India is being divided. National unity, once a source of strength, is now being undermined in the name of religion. The state needs to prioritize the safety and security of all its citizens rather than further polarising the society with divisive actions. Terrorism should be fought with unity, not by fragmenting the nation into "us vs them" narratives.
It’s time to question the real culprits – those who are spreading hate and undermining the unity of the nation, not those asking important questions for accountability.