The arrest was made based on complaints filed by Renu Bhatia, chairperson of the Haryana State Commission for Women, and Yogesh Jatheri, the village sarpanch of Jatheri and general secretary of the BJP Yuva Morcha in Haryana.

He was charged under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including:

• Section 152 – Act endangering the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India
• Section 353 – Statements conducing to public mischief
• Section 79 – Word, gesture, or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman
• Section 196(1)(b) – Promoting enmity between different groups on religious grounds
• Section 197(1)(c) – Assertions prejudicial to national integration
• Section 299 – Malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings

According to Sonipat DCP (Crime) Narinder Kadian, Mahmudabad was produced before a local court and remanded to two days’ police custody for investigation.

Background: ‘Operation Sindoor’, national briefing and the right to express opinions

On the morning of May 7, 2025, the Indian Armed Forces carried out coordinated missile strikes targeting nine terrorist camps situated in PoK and Pakistan. This operation was executed as a retaliatory measure following the mass killing of 26 civilians in Pahalgam. The campaign, named Operation Sindoor, marked a significant escalation in India’s counterterror strategy.

Later that day, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, along with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, addressed the media. The press briefing, led by these two senior women officers, was widely covered and praised across media platforms and by political commentators, especially from the Hindutva spectrum.

On May 8, a day after the press briefing, Professor Mahmudabad posted a message on social media reflecting on the public reception of the briefing. In his post, he noted the irony of right-wing voices praising the two women officers, particularly Colonel Qureshi, while remaining silent on domestic issues such as mob lynchings, arbitrary demolitions, and religiously motivated violence.

“Perhaps they could also equally loudly demand that the victims of mob lynchings, arbitrary bulldozing and others who are victims of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s hate mongering be protected as Indian citizens,” Mahmudabad wrote.

He further commented:

“The optics of two women soldiers presenting their findings is important, but optics must translate to reality on the ground—otherwise it’s just hypocrisy.” (Detailed report may be read here.)

These remarks were interpreted by the complainants as a denigration of national military efforts and an attempt to communalise and politicise a national security operation.

Basis for arrest

Haryana State Commission for Women’s action: As per the report of Hindustan Times, The Haryana State Commission for Women took suo motu cognisance of Mahmudabad’s remarks, alleging that they were:

• Insulting to women officers in the Indian Armed Forces
• An attempt to create communal disharmony
• A violation of public order during a sensitive national moment

The commission issued a summons to Mahmudabad on May 14, which he reportedly ignored. On May 15, commission officials visited Ashoka University, but he allegedly did not appear before them.

In her police complaint, Chairperson Renu Bhatia accused Mahmudabad of:

• “Using the narrative of war” despite no official declaration of war
• Calling a political party “a hate-mongering entity,” which she claimed was prejudicial and inflammatory

Second Complaint and BJP’s involvement: As per the report of Indian Express, the second FIR was based on a complaint by Yogesh Jatheri, sarpanch of Jatheri village and BJP youth leader. He alleged that Mahmudabad’s comments had “deeply hurt him on a personal level” and were anti-national in tone.

Haryana BJP spokesperson Sanjay Sharma defended the FIRs and police action, stating:

“Security agencies are taking action as appropriate for the security of the country.”

Professor Mahmudabad’s response

Prior to his arrest and after receiving the notice of the Women’s Commission, in a public statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Mahmudabad had defended his comments and criticized the interpretation made by the Women’s Commission:

“I am surprised that the Women’s Commission, while overreaching its jurisdiction, has misread and misunderstood my posts to such an extent that they have inverted their meaning.”

He added that his academic and public work has consistently focused on promoting peace, protecting constitutional values, and supporting national unity. He emphasized that his intent was not to disparage the military, but to:

“Applaud the Indian armed forces for their resolute action, while criticising those who preach hatred and seek to destabilise India.”

My statement re the summons that I received from the Haryana State Women’s Commission.

The posts that were misunderstood and objected to can be accessed on my Facebook page. pic.twitter.com/U4rZrAXhFx

— Ali Khan Mahmudabad (@Mahmudabad) May 14, 2025

Legal and institutional implications

On Monday, May 19, senior advocate Kapil Sibal appeared before a bench led by Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih in the Supreme Court, seeking urgent hearing in the matter of Professor Mahmudabad’s arrest.

“He has been arrested for a patriotic statement,” Sibal submitted, as per LiveLaw, urging the court to take up the case without delay.

The bench responded that the matter would be listed for hearing on May 20 or 21, indicating a willingness to assess the legality and urgency of the arrest.

Professor Mahmudabad is an accomplished scholar and public intellectual known for his research, writings, and policy work. He has previously collaborated with senior bureaucrats, military officers, and policymakers and is recognized for advocating constitutional values, secularism, and national integration. His arrest has sparked discussions around academic freedom, freedom of expression, and the limits of lawful criticism during national security events. Many have raised concerns about the criminalisation of political commentary, especially when it involves criticism of the ruling party or state institutions.

Political Reactions: Widespread condemnation from the opposition

The arrest triggered a wave of criticism from across the Opposition spectrum, with political leaders from the Congress, Samajwadi Party (SP), All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) calling it an assault on free speech and academic independence.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge issued a scathing statement on social media: “The arrest of Ashoka University professor, Ali Khan Mahmudabad, shows how fearful the BJP is of any opinion disliked by them.”

Kharge drew attention to what he described as the BJP’s double standards, noting that while Mahmudabad was arrested for a “thoughtful” post, no action was taken against Madhya Pradesh Tribal Affairs Minister Vijay Shah, who on May 12 made sexist and communal remarks referring to Colonel Sofiya Qureshi as “their own sister (unki samaj ki behen ke zariye)” in the context of Operation Sindoor. (Details may be read here.)

In his social media post, Kharge added: “Instead of acting against their own ministers for disparaging the armed forces, BJP-RSS is determined to silence voices that support pluralism, challenge the government, or simply do their job with integrity.”

He concluded by reaffirming that for the Congress, national unity and democracy must prevail, and supporting the armed forces does not mean silencing dissent.

The Indian National Congress stands with our Armed Forces, bureaucrats, academicians, intellectuals and their families.

I condemn any character assassination, vilification, trolling, harassment, unlawful arrest of any individual and vandalism of any business entity, either…

— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) May 19, 2025

Congress media head Pawan Khera described the arrest as the criminalisation of dissent: “A historian and academic is jailed not for inciting violence, but for advocating against it. His crime? Daring to speak truth to power and calling out the BJP’s chest-thumping hypocrisy.”

Khera added that Mahmudabad’s “only mistake” was that “he wrote a thoughtful post—and his other mistake is his name.” He further reminded that Mahmudabad is the grandson of Padma Bhushan awardee Jagat S. Mehta, a former Foreign Secretary of India who served under Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

He accused the BJP of employing the state machinery to silence writers, professors, and critics, and warned that the “real enemy is democracy itself when dissent is treated as criminal.”

Ali Khan Mahmudabad has been arrested for a thoughtful Facebook post. This is the state of New India under the Modi government.

A historian and academic is jailed not for inciting violence but for advocating against it. His crime? Daring to speak truth to power, exposing the… pic.twitter.com/wLiVNFujTE

— Pawan Khera (@Pawankhera) May 18, 2025

SP President Akhilesh Yadav joined the chorus of condemnation with a poetic critique: “Hukmaraanon kee badazubaanee par bhee aazaadee, aur kisee kee sach kahane par giraftaaree (Freedom when rulers use foul language, but arrest when someone speaks the truth.)”

हुक्मरानों की बदज़ुबानी पर भी आज़ादी
और किसी की सच कहने पर गिरफ़्तारी

— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) May 19, 2025

According to the report of Scroll, Abdul Hafeez Gandhi, SP national spokesperson, also defended Mahmudabad’s right to dissent: “He is being unfairly targeted for exercising his constitutional right to free speech. This is a misuse of state power.”

AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi labeled the arrest “utterly condemnable”, arguing that Mahmudabad was punished for a reasoned opinion: “His post wasn’t anti-national or misogynistic. A mere complaint by a BJP worker was enough for Haryana police to act with such speed.”

Utterly condemnable. If true, Haryana police reportedly arrested him from Delhi, violating legal process. This targets an individual for his opinions; his post wasn’t anti-national or misogynistic. A mere complaint by a BJP worker made Haryana police take action. https://t.co/xsOpdmAd7R

— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) May 18, 2025

Leaders from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) also weighed in, calling the arrest “deplorable”, “politically motivated”, and a “clear threat to freedom of expression” in academia and public discourse.

Ashoka University’s ambivalent stance amid controversy

Ashoka University has taken a cautious and somewhat distancing approach following the arrest of Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad. Prior to the arrest, the institution had made it clear that the professor’s social media posts were his personal opinions and did not represent the university’s official stance — a move that critics say reflects a reluctance to robustly defend academic freedom in a highly charged political climate.

As per the Indian Express, in its statement after the arrest, Ashoka University struck a neutral tone, stating it was “in the process of ascertaining the details” and that it would “continue to cooperate fully with the police and local authorities.” This measured response, while procedural, has been viewed by many as an insufficient show of solidarity with a faculty member facing what supporters call a politically motivated and disproportionate crackdown on free expression.

The university’s unwillingness to firmly oppose the arrest, especially when the charges appear tied to Mahmudabad’s academic and critical engagement with national issues, has raised concerns about institutional complicity in curbing dissent and the broader erosion of academic autonomy in India today. Those supporting Mahmudabad against this illegal arrest argue that in such times, silence or neutrality from educational institutions emboldens state overreach and undermines the very values universities are meant to uphold.

Academic and Civil Society Response: Outrage over “targeted harassment”

Ashoka University faculty and students stands by Professor Mahmudabad: As per the report of Indian Express, in an internal email circulated Sunday, the Committee for Academic Freedom (CAF) at Ashoka University denounced the arrest of Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad as a “disproportionate punishment made on flimsy grounds” and labelled it a “fundamental attack on academic freedom”.

The Ashoka University Faculty Association also issued a formal statement condemning the arrest, describing the charges as “groundless and untenable”. The faculty detailed what they termed “calculated harassment”, saying Professor Mahmudabad was:

• Arrested early in the morning from his Delhi home,
• Taken to Sonipat without a transit remand,
• Denied access to necessary medication, and
• Driven around for hours without clear communication about his location.

The statement described him as “an invaluable member of the university community”, noting his scholarship, character, and commitment to Constitutional values, pluralism, and academic integrity:

“He has taught us what it means to be a citizen-scholar: rational, critical, yet deeply respectful and generous in engagement with the world… We demand his immediate and unconditional release and the dropping of all charges.”

The Faculty Association of @AshokaUniv strongly condemns the arrest of Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Political Science, on 18 May 2025, on groundless and untenable charges. 1/-

— Maya Mirchandani (@maya206) May 18, 2025

Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad’s students wrote a strong message pf solidarity for him.

@Mahmudabad‘s students this semester have written a beautiful and strong message in solidarity with their beloved professor. The class was called Banish the Poets. Have a read!
Faculty and students, we all stand in solidarity with him. pic.twitter.com/lUzU29JOnk

— Arpita Das (she/her) (@arpitayodapress) May 19, 2025

Over 1,000 scholars sign letter of support: A public letter of support, endorsed by over 1,000 academics and intellectuals, rallied behind Mahmudabad, calling the arrest a “preposterous” overreach that reflects the erosion of freedom of expression in India.

Prominent signatories include Romila Thapar, Ramachandra Guha, Jayati Ghosh, Nivedita Menon and Ram Puniyani.

The letter stated: “It is preposterous that we have come to such a pass in India that even praising the army, albeit while criticising those who clamour for war, can now invite such targeted harassment and attempted censorship.”

It praised Mahmudabad’s posts for recognizing the collapsing distinction between terrorists and the Pakistani military, while also celebrating India’s secular values through the representation of women officers in public briefings.

“Far from being misogynist or anti-national, Prof Khan’s posts are driven by a clear moral vision of what being a good citizen means… the words of a true patriot concerned with the lives of both soldiers and citizens.”

My sincere thanks to Profs Apoorvanand and Vaidik. It is heartening and humbling to see this cross-sectional support. My profound thanks to the 1200+ people who have signed, called and written in support, especially faculty and students.

Link to letter:https://t.co/LXVhadLezr pic.twitter.com/HLOJ86wRNP

— Ali Khan Mahmudabad (@Mahmudabad) May 17, 2025

Voices from Academia: Delhi University professor Apoorvanand sharply criticised the legality of the arrest: “Haryana police has illegally arrested Dr Ali Khan. Taken from Delhi to Haryana without a transit remand. FIR filed at 8 PM. Police reached his home at 7 AM the next morning!”

The arrest of Dr Ali Khan has a message:a Muslim can express his ideas but should not expect freedom after that. It is to tell Muslims that your elites ll be shown their place. Their stature goes against them.This arrest irrationally reminded me of the fate of Ehsan Jafri Sb.

— Apoorvanand अपूर्वानंद (@Apoorvanand__) May 19, 2025

Meanwhile, as per the report of The Hindu, the Jawaharlal Nehru University Teachers’ Association (JNUTA) issued a strong condemnation:

“The JNUTA expresses its outrage at the wholly unwarranted arrest by the Haryana Police of Dr Khan. This arrest… follows soon after the Haryana State Commission for Women acted way beyond its jurisdiction in taking suo motu cognisance of some statements made by Professor Khan.”

Conclusion

The arrest of Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad represents a deeply troubling precedent in India’s democratic fabric, where the right to critique, question, and engage in reasoned public discourse is increasingly being criminalized under vague and politically motivated charges. This case starkly illustrates how academic freedom and freedom of expression—cornerstones of any vibrant democracy—are under siege. Instead of fostering dialogue and dissent as essential elements of national progress, the state apparatus appears to be weaponizing the law to silence voices that challenge the dominant narrative or critique government policies.

The swift and heavy-handed action against a respected scholar, whose academic work consistently upholds constitutional values, pluralism, and national integration, signals a dangerous erosion of institutional autonomy and intellectual independence. Moreover, the involvement of political actors and regulatory bodies in what should be academic and civil society debates raises critical questions about the misuse of power and the shrinking space for dissent.

As voices from academia, civil society, and political opposition unite in demanding Professor Mahmudabad’s immediate release and the dropping of all charges, this case must serve as a clarion call for safeguarding democratic freedoms in India. Upholding the principles of free expression and academic inquiry is not merely an academic concern—it is a vital defense against authoritarian tendencies that threaten the pluralistic and secular foundations of the nation. In defending Professor Mahmudabad, the right of every citizen to speak truth to power without fear of reprisal, and affirm the enduring strength of India’s democracy is being protected.

Related:

FIR meant to fail: MP High Court calls out state’s attempt to shield BJP minister, in hate speech case, to monitor probe

Apology and Accountability: CJP files complaint with six news channels for airing misleading war clips, false terror claims in ‘Operation Sindoor’ coverage

Full Text | Ashoka University Professor Ali Mahmudabad’s Posts that Haryana Police Calls ‘Sedition’

Pahalgam Tragedy and Rising Spiral of Hatred

The post How high is the price of criticism? Professor Mahmudabad arrested for his criticism of politics of hatred appeared first on SabrangIndia.

May 8, 2025

Strategically India has actually begun a new phase in terms of collapsing distinction between military and terrorist (non-state actors) in Pakistan. In effect, the response to any terrorist activity will invite a conventional response and so this puts the onus on the Pakistani military to make sure that it cannot hide any longer behind terrorists and non-state actors.

In any case the Pakistan military has used militarised non-state actors to destabilise the region for far too long while also claiming to be victims on the international stage. It has also used the same actors – some of whom were targeted in the recent strikes – to foment sectarian tension in Pakistan.

Operation Sindoor resets all received notions of Indo-Pak relationships as the response to terrorist attacks will be met with a military response and removes any semantic distinction between the two.

Despite this collapse, care has been taken by the Indian armed forces to not target military or civilian installations or infrastructure so that there is no unnecessary escalation. The message is clear: if you don’t deal with your terrorism problem then we will! The loss of civilian life is tragic on both sides and is the main reason why war should be avoided.

There are those who are mindlessly advocating for a war but they have never seen one, let alone lived in or visited a conflict zone. Being part of a mock civil defence drill does not make you a solider and neither will you ever know the pain of someone who suffers losses because of conflict.

War is brutal. The poor suffer disproportionately and the only people who benefit are politicians and defence companies. While war is inevitable because politics is primarily rooted in violence – at least human history teaches us this –we have to realise that political conflicts have never been solved militarily.

Lastly, I am very happy to see so many right wing commentators applauding Colonel Sophia Qureishi, but perhaps they could also equally loudly demand that the victims of mob lynchings, arbitrary bulldozing and others who are victims of the BJP’s hate mongering be protected as Indian citizens. The optics of two women soldiers presenting their findings is important, but optics must translate to reality on the ground otherwise it’s just hypocrisy.

When a prominent Muslim politicians said “Pakistan Murdabad” and was trolled by Pakistanis for doing so – Indian right wing commentators defended him by saying “he is our mulla.” Of course this is funny but it also points to just how deep communalism has managed to infect the indian body politic.

For me, the press conference was just a fleeting glimpse – an illusion and allusion perhaps – to an India that defied the logic on which Pakistan was built. As I said, the grassroots reality that common Muslims face is different from what the government tried to show but at the same time the press conference shows that an India, united it its diversity, is not completely dead as an idea.

Jai Hind

§

May 11, 2025

The blind bloodlust for war!

Despite a ceasefire there are those who are baying for war.

War has gone from being somewhat self contained to now being everywhere and nowhere at the same time. Civilians have always been impacted by war but due to military technology, the impact is now exponentially much more than even two centuries ago.

So when you clamour for war or you call for a country to be wiped out, then what exactly are you asking? For the genocide of an entire people? I know Israel is getting away with doing this – and some Indians admire this – but do we really want to advocate the wholesale murder of children as potential future enemies?

Just because you are far from the border or because you have internalised so much hate that you no longer think of human beings when you think of an entire country, people, religious community, ethnic group, or social group doesn’t mean you are safe. This goes for all places where this conflict. You cannot equate an entire people with their government. In any case war eventually hits everyone. It’s just a matter of time.

Think about what it means when you say “wipe them out,” “finish them,” “destroy them” etc?

You are saying kill all the children, the elderly, minorities, those who are opposed to war on the other side and many other innocent people who want to do exactly what you want to do: be a father, a mother, a daughter, a son, a grandparent and a friend. You can only ask for such wholesale destruction if you have completely dehumanised them.

This is what the media, religious/ community leaders, politicians and others seek to do: dehumanise the other so that you do not even see them as human beings. It’s happening on both sides of the Radcliffe line – there are madmen everywhere, but those closer to the border know what war means. It means arbitrary, unpredictable and senseless death.

Those far from the border seem to think war is some kind of video game. This dehumanisation is symptomatic of deep seated insecurities within us because we somehow need to deny someone else’s humanity to affirm our own. But the reality is that the minute we dehumanise someone else – even though they might represent the opposite of everything we stand for – then we have given in to our basest instincts. We have sown the seeds of our own destruction.

People will tell you that those who call for peace are cowards. No, I tell you. Those who sit at home and call for war are cowards because it is not their sons and daughters who have to go to battle.

Anyway, how on earth will war ever lead to peace? Does more abuse lead to less trauma? The military industrial complex in the world is the most profitable business ($2.46 trillion), in comparison pharma is $1.6 trillion and oil is $750 billion.

War is about profit and greed not about ideals and values. The days of those wars have gone if indeed they were ever there. We like to tell tales of honour in war but these stories are actually often about warriors who are exceptional human beings who transcend their ego and base sense of self. How strange that, as Sassoon said, Soldiers conceal their hatred of war. Civilians conceal their liking for it.

The Gita like many other holy books speaks of the complex moral dilemmas of going into war and of what kind of violence is justified. Contrary to popular misconceptions the Gita is not about war but about the reasons for going into war including dharma, duty and righteousness.

What makes war just? Even if we accept that war is inevitable because violence is a part of the human condition, it is precisely this – the violence within all of us – that we have to try and overcome. Wars fought for pride, ego and all the false ideologies that flow from them can never be just. Remember Krishn Ji’s main contention is that Arjun set aside his own ego.

श्रीभगवानुवाच |

काम एष क्रोध एष रजोगुणसमुद्भव: ||

महाशनो महापाप्मा विद्ध्येनमिह वैरिणम् ||

The Supreme Lord said: It is lust alone, which is born of contact with the mode of passion, and later transformed into anger. Know this as the sinful, all-devouring enemy in the world.

In the above verse from the Gita (3:37) the word for lust is kaam which doesn’t only mean sexual desire but all kinds of material desire. Lust in some cases is the urge for money, physical cravings, craving for prestige, the drive for power, etc. Desire deceives the soul into believing that material objects will provide satisfaction. However, when desires are satisfied, they produce greed; when they aren’t satisfied, we see anger. One commits wrongs under the influence of all three– lust, greed and anger. They are all linked.

The Prophet said “do not desire to meet your enemy in battle, but if you do then be patient.”

This patience is what is key. Once Imam Ali was in combat with a warrior called Am ibn Abd Wadd during the battle of the Trench. Maulana Rumi says:

از علی آموز اخلاص عمل

شیر حق را دان مُطهَّر از دغل

“Learn the purity of of actions from Ali. Know that the Lion of God is free from deceit.”

Imam Ali felled Abd Wadd and was about to kill him when the latter spat on his face. Imam Ali withdrew immediately. When someone asked why he did this, he said in that moment I would have killed him because I was angry. My ego would have got in the way. So the only honourable thing was to withdraw.

The kind of war mongering we are seeing amongst civilians is actually disrespecting the seriousness of war and dishonouring the lives of soldiers whose lives are actually on the line.

The recent trolling of Vikram Misri, India’s foreign secretary, by supporters of the BJP who are clamouring for war, actually shows just how blinding hate and anger can be. Imagine abusing someone who was following orders from politicians and trolling their family. This is the extent to which blood lust has gripped these people.

Ali Khan Mahmudabad is a professor at Ashoka University.

Courtesy: The Wire

The post Full Text | Ashoka University Professor Ali Mahmudabad’s Posts that Haryana Police Calls ‘Sedition’ appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Taking this citizens’ monitoring several steps further, Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) has filed complaints against six mainstream Indian news channels, Aaj Tak, ABP News, Times Now Navbharat, NDTV, India TV, and News18 this week. The complaints detail three key instances of misinformation. Five channels – Aaj Tak, ABP News, Times Now Navbharat, NDTV, and India TV – broadcasted a four-year-old video of Israel’s Iron Dome, falsely presenting it as recent footage of Indian air defence systems in Jaisalmer. These channels claimed the footage showed India thwarting Pakistani aerial threats.

Separately, News18 falsely identified Maulana Qari Mohammad Iqbal, an Indian religious scholar and educator, as a Pakistani terrorist killed in an Indian airstrike. News18’s report, titled “India’s air strike Pakistan: Operation Sindoor,” claimed Iqbal was a top Lashkar-e-Taiba commander. CJP’s complaint iterated that Iqbal was not a terrorist, claims that the unfortunate teacher’s family had stated on social media and even the Poonch police had clarified: Maulana Iqbal had died in cross-border shelling while adding relevant evidence in its complaint against the channels for its inaccurate broadcast.

Additionally, Aaj Tak broadcasted old footage of Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, falsely claiming it showed Indian attacks on Pakistan during “Operation Sindoor”. CJP’s complaints highlight serious ethical breaches, including the use of misleading visuals, sensationalist commentary, and theatrical framing to manipulate public perception. CJP is demanding on-air corrections, public apologies, and the removal of the misleading content.

Fake War Footage: Old Israeli defence videos masqueraded as airstrikes in Jaisalmer

During a critical moment of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan in May 2025, multiple mainstream Indian news channels — including Aaj Tak, ABP News, Times Now Navbharat, NDTV, and India TV — broadcasted a four-year-old video showing Israel’s Iron Dome air defence system. These visuals were falsely presented as recent, exclusive footage of Indian air defence systems thwarting Pakistani aerial threats in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.

News channels misrepresent outdated foreign footage as breaking war coverage

Aaj Tak

On May 14, CJP filed a complaint with Aaj Tak regarding a misrepresented broadcast, as on May 9, Aaj Tak aired a show hosted by senior anchor Anjana Om Kashyap under the sensational title, “पाकिस्तान पर भारत पर भारत का चौतरफा हमला, Lahore-Karachi में भारी नुक़सान [India’s All-Around Attack on Pakistan, Heavy Losses in Lahore-Karachi].” Kashyap claimed the visuals depicted a Pakistani drone attack being repelled in Jaisalmer. The same footage was shown by anchor Shweta Singh, again framed as evidence of India’s successful defence.

Archived combat footage passed off as real-time strikes during ‘Operation Sindoor’: Aaj Tak uses Israeli airstrike footage to claim Indian attacks on Pakistan

Similarly, as reports of India’s military strikes under “Operation Sindoor” on May 7, 2025, began to surface, Aaj Tak broadcast visuals that allegedly showed seven Indian missiles being launched, claiming they were live visuals from Bahawalpur, Pakistan — a hub of terrorist activity. The footage was shared both on air and on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), captioned “ऑपरेशन सिंदूर | ऐसे ध्वस्त हुआ जैश का आतंकी अड्डा [Operation Sindoor | How the Jaish Terrorist Base Was Destroyed].”

ऑपरेशन सिंदूर | ऐसे ध्वस्त हुआ जैश का आतंकी अड्डा #OperationSindoor #Pakistan #IndianArmy #IndianAirforce #IndiaStrikesTerroristan #PahalgamTerrorAttack | @anjanaomkashyap pic.twitter.com/DxwLnhmDUr

— AajTak (@aajtak) May 7, 2025

However, reverse image searches revealed that these visuals were not recent, nor were they connected to any Indian military action. Instead, they were taken from a report by Sputnik Armenia published on October 13, 2023, depicting Israeli airstrikes in Gaza. The original footage was also corroborated by the Israeli Air Force’s own records and shared on their official Facebook page.

Fact-checkers debunk false Media claims

Further confirmation came from multiple sources, including Al Mayadeen and BBC journalist Shayan Sardarizadeh, CJP’s complaint described this as not merely an error but a calculated attempt to dramatise the news cycle.  The same video resurfaced a few days later and was used by the media outlet Al Mayadeen in their video report on bombings in Gaza on October 23, 2023.

In doing so, the channel undermined public trust, misinformed citizens about the reality of ongoing military operations, and potentially destabilised diplomatic efforts through the spread of inflammatory, inaccurate content.

CJP in its complaint to Aaj Tak, also mentioned other social media accounts had also shared the identical video on October 13, 2023. Links to these X posts are available:

Heavy Israeli airstrikes continued in the Gaza Strip tonight. pic.twitter.com/nVG7x0qVv1

— Status-6 (Military & Conflict News) (BlueSky too) (@Archer83Able) October 12, 2023

Israel is currently carrying out a MASSIVE airstrike on Gaza. pic.twitter.com/yqi0zBzfue

— Censored Men (@CensoredMen) October 12, 2023

#IsraelPalestineConflict Israel Forces attack Gaza.https://t.co/kt7X1rLBKP #Israel #IsraelFightsBack #Gaza #GazaUnderAttack #Hamas_is_ISIS #Hamas #HamasMassacre #HamasTerrorism #HamasISIS #Palestine #PalestineUnderAttack #palastine #WestBank pic.twitter.com/6dMMGEXTxA

— People’s Eye (@eye_peoples) October 13, 2023

Gaza |

Intense bombings are now striking Gaza, causing significant tremors. In the past two hours alone, Israeli warplanes have claimed the lives of 40 Palestinians. pic.twitter.com/8PPTRry05k

— Younis Tirawi | يونس (@ytirawi) October 12, 2023

These broadcasts, as outlined in the CJP’s complaint to above channels, reflect systemic problems in how certain mainstream media outlets handle news during national crises. From falsifying battlefield footage to wrongfully branding civilians as terrorists, and recycling old foreign war clips as current Indian military action, the channels prioritised sensationalism over accuracy.

The complaint may be read here:

ABP News

On May 15, 2025, ABP News also faced CJP’s complaint with its May 8, 2025 bulletin titled “India Pakistan War Update: श्रीनगर और लुधियाना में ब्लैक आउट.” Through the broadcast, Anchor Chitra Tripathi and a field reporter stated unequivocally that a Pakistani drone strike had just been neutralised in Jaisalmer using Indian defence systems. ABP presented them with no disclaimers, context, or source attribution.

The channel presented the visuals, which bore a striking resemblance to Israel’s Iron Dome air defence system in action, as exclusive footage originating from Jaisalmer and depicting events that had occurred “a short while ago.” This purported visual evidence was displayed throughout a substantial portion of the broadcast, from the 00:01 to the 05:29 timestamp. Adding to the gravity of the claim, the anchor, Chitra Tripathi, explicitly stated that a “drone attack happened in Jaisalmer.”

Furthermore, the reporting included a correspondent who affirmed that “the Indian missiles/counter drone system destroyed the drone attack” [Time Stamp: 02:30 – 03:30]. By presenting unverified and, as later revealed, outdated footage as a real-time depiction of a critical security event in a sensitive border region, ABP News engaged in a serious act of misrepresentation and disseminated potentially inflammatory misinformation to its viewers. This broadcast had the potential to significantly shape public perception during a period of heightened national anxiety, CJP’s complaint mentioned

CJP mentioned in its complaint that “Despite this, ABP News aired the video as breaking and exclusive news footage, implicitly suggesting to viewers that Indian air defence forces had successfully repelled an actual Pakistani air attack. No disclaimers, source identification, or verification notes were presented either during or after the broadcast. The footage was shared with a tone of real-time urgency, further misleading the public into believing that an active military escalation was underway.”

The complaint may be read here:

Times Now Navbharat

On May 15, CJP filed a complaint with Times Now Navbharat for its May 9 broadcast, titled “#BharatPAKWarBREAKING: भारत-पाकिस्तान युद्ध पर अमेरिका का बयान- ‘हम भारत को नहीं रोक सकते’ [U.S. statement on the India-Pakistan war: ‘We cannot stop India].” CJP mentioned that the broadcast of India TV amplified similar claims, airing the same misleading visuals on May 9 under the tag “#BharatPAKWarBREAKING.” The channel claimed Pakistani strikes had been intercepted in Jaisalmer, echoing the others’ false narratives.

The complaint may be read here:

NDTV

On May 15, CJP filed a complaint with NDTV for its May 8 broadcast nearly identical visuals under the headline “India-Pakistan Tension: पाकिस्तान के खिलाफ भारत का जवाबी हमला शुरू.” Again, the footage was presented without context, implying a real-time military development.

The complaint may be read here:

India TV

On May 16, CJP filed a complaint with India TV over the broadcast of inaccurate and misleading visuals. CJP finds that the channel on May 9 falsely claimed that Pakistani drones were shot down in Ramgarh, Jaisalmer. while the channel did not explicitly state that the video footage was from Ramgarh, Jaisalmer, it was presented alongside a report alleging that Pakistani drones had been intercepted in the area— without any disclaimer or clarification.

This created a misleading impression that the visuals were authentic, recent, and directly related to the reported incident, particularly within the context of escalating India-Pakistan tensions. The lack of any on-screen disclaimer or contextual clarification further supported this illusion, making it appear as though viewers were witnessing real-time footage of Indian forces responding to a Pakistani attack.

Such tactics exploit the emotive power of visuals for sensational effect, prioritising ratings over responsibility. In a volatile geopolitical climate, this kind of reporting is not only ethically indefensible but socially dangerous. It undermines public trust in the media, distorts the reality of conflict, and risks escalating tensions based on manufactured impressions.

The complaint may be read here:

CJP flags intentional misinformation and potential public harm and panic

In its complaints to the channels, CJP detailed how the broadcasts misinformed and misled viewers by using dramatic, outdated footage to fabricate a false narrative of live military engagement. CJP asserted that this went beyond mere editorial oversight, constituting a serious ethical breach. The combination of misleading visuals, sensationalist commentary, and theatrical framing served to manipulate public perception and exploit viewers’ emotions amid a period of real geopolitical tension.

Original video was uploaded to YouTube channel named @NSFchannel on May 11, 2021

CJP in its complaint against six mainstream news channels, cited an investigation by independent fact-checking organisation Alt News, titled “Aaj Tak, NDTV, Times Now, News18 & others ran 4-yr-old video as aerial fight over Jaisalmer.“ The fact-check revealed that the video aired by these channels as supposed footage of India’s air defence system intercepting Pakistani aerial threats was originally uploaded to YouTube on May 11, 2021, by a channel named NSF Channel.

The original caption clearly identified the visuals as showing Israel’s Iron Dome in action. Despite this information being publicly available for years, the news channels misleadingly presented the clip during heightened India-Pakistan tensions in May 2025, risking public panic, misinformation, and further hostility.

While Alt News could not independently confirm that the footage showed the Iron Dome specifically, it conclusively established that the video was at least four years old and entirely unrelated to the 2025 conflict, making its use by the news channels a serious breach of journalistic integrity.

Misidentifying an Indian educator as a Pakistani terrorist: a dangerous act of defamation: News18 insensitively labels civilian death as terror elimination

On May 14 (2025), CJP also sent a formal complaint to News 18, as on May 7, 2025, News18 aired a segment titled “India’s air strike Pakistan: Operation Sindoor में मारा गया आतंकी Mohammad Iqbal |India Pak War,” claiming that a top Lashkar-e-Taiba commander named Mohammad Iqbal had been killed in an Indian airstrike. This “most-wanted terrorist,” the report alleged, had been neutralised during “Operation Sindoor.”

Link for the contentious programme- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swmMklh41No

CJP’s submission in its complaint reiterated that in reality, Maulana Qari Mohammad Iqbal was not a terrorist but a religious scholar and educator from Poonch, Jammu & Kashmir. He taught at Jamia Zia-ul-Uloom and had no ties to any militant organisation. He tragically lost his life in cross-border shelling — not during an anti-terror operation — contrary to what several media outlets falsely reported.

According to the CJP complaint, independent fact-checks and official confirmations, including from the district police, have unequivocally established that he had no links to militancy. Media platforms misappropriated his identity, even using an image originally posted in a condolence message by Jamia’s deputy administrator, Mr. Sayeed Ahmed Habib. His grieving family, including brother-in-law Ishaq Khayan and brother Qari Mohammad Farookh, have condemned the coverage as defamatory and deeply distressing.

In its complaints, CJP cited the Alt News fact-check published on May 10, 2025, titled “His name was Qari Mohammad Iqbal. He was not a terrorist.” In response to the misinformation, CJP has added the case to its complaint against the circulation of fake news and communal profiling by certain media houses.

Facts vs Fabrication: Media’s reckless misreporting exposed

CJP’s complaint to channels included findings from various independent fact-checkers and official confirmations that debunked News18’s claim. Local police authorities, his family, and his colleagues confirmed that Qari Iqbal was not involved in any unlawful activities. The image used by the channel was originally part of a condolence message from a colleague, Sayeed Ahmed Habib.

In an official statement, Jamia Zia Ul Uloom, the institution where Iqbal worked, called the portrayal “shameful” and “deeply regrettable.” They demanded a public apology from the channels that misreported the story and warned of legal action if no corrective steps were taken.

Family demands strict action against those spreading misinformation

Qari Mohammad Iqbal’s family has demanded strict action against those spreading misinformation.

“We were already in mourning, and now this false narrative has added to our pain. Sections of the ‘Godi media’ are falsely labeling him as a Pakistani terrorist, which is absolutely baseless. We strongly condemn this defamation and appeal to the District Collector (DC Saab) to take immediate and appropriate action,” the family stated.

Qari Iqbal Mohammad’s family demands action against ‘Godi media’ for falsely labelling him a Pakistani terrorist.

They claimed that he was killed in Indian airstrikes in Pakistan.

Fact: He was killed in Pakistani shelling in Poonch. pic.twitter.com/cXpD2RYXaQ

— Alishan Jafri (@alishan_jafri) May 8, 2025

Maulana Mohd Iqbal had no terror links: district Poonch police

In response to misinformation circulating on social media and certain digital platforms, Poonch Police, through its official X handle, issued a clear and firm statement addressing the matter.

“Poonch Police refutes fake news circulating about the death of Maulana Mohd Iqbal in cross-border shelling. He had no terror links. Misreporting causes panic and legal action will follow against those spreading misinformation,” the post read.

Poonch Police refutes fake news circulating about the death of Maulana Mohd Iqbal in cross-border shelling. He had no terror links. Misreporting causes panic and Legal action will follow against those spreading misinformation. @JmuKmrPolice @ZPHQJammu @digrprange

— DISTRICT POLICE POONCH (@Poonch_Police) May 8, 2025

The clarification comes amid a surge in unverified reports alleging that Maulana Mohd Iqbal, a respected local religious figure, was killed in cross-border shelling and had affiliations with terror groups — both claims now officially denied.

The incident reveals a disturbing tendency in segments of the news channels, the urge to capitalise on conflict by rushing to label civilians as enemies. This not only violates journalistic ethics but inflicts real harm on grieving families and distorts the facts on the ground, CJP strongly argued in its complaints

Violations of NBDSA Code of Ethics and Broadcasting Standards

Violation of Fundamental Principles

The complaints submitted by CJP highlights multiple violations of the NBDSA’s Code of Ethics and Broadcasting Standards by Aaj Tak, ABP News, NDTV, India TV, Times Now Navbharat, and News18. Citing Section 1 – Fundamental Principles of the Code, the complaints underscore that professional electronic journalists are obligated to act as trustees of public interest, and to “seek the truth and report it fairly with integrity and independence.” This obligation includes ensuring the dissemination of verified and accurate information, enabling the public to form their own opinions based on facts, and being accountable to the citizenry by not misleading them, especially during sensitive national moments.

However, it was found that in the broadcasts aired by the aforementioned channels, a video of unverified origin—purportedly showing a Pakistani air attack foiled in Jaisalmer—was broadcast without authentication. In doing so, the channels compromised accuracy by failing to verify the origin or authenticity of the footage prior to airing, thereby misleading audiences and violating the ethical foundations of journalism meant to serve the public interest.

The complaints noted that this constituted a betrayal of the media’s role as a platform for truthful and balanced information, and described it as a grave dereliction of professional responsibility, particularly during a conflict scenario where misinformation can easily shape public perception, trigger mass fear, or escalate geopolitical tensions.

Breach of Principles of Self-Regulation and National Security

Further, under Section 2 – Principles of Self-Regulation, it was found that the broadcasters violated norms concerning impartiality, objectivity, and neutrality. The complaints emphasised that while 24-hour news channels are expected to operate with speed, accuracy and balance must take precedence. In the May 9, 2025 broadcast, the channels reportedly prioritised sensationalism over verified information. The use of inaccurate and outdated footage as alleged real-time visuals demonstrated a reckless disregard for factual accuracy and ethical broadcasting standards. No clarifications or corrective statements were issued, thereby compounding the breach of accountability.

Additionally, the complaint raised concerns under the guidelines on reporting crime and violence, stating that the channels aired visuals originally depicting Israeli military operations while falsely presenting them as Indian actions.

This misrepresentation glorified violent retaliation and military aggression, and the use of graphic imagery combined with a triumphant tone amounted to glamorisation of cross-border violence, potentially inciting emotional and nationalistic fervour among viewers. The complaints also stated that the portrayal of a foreign missile defence system as an Indian military success misled the public and desensitised audiences to the real dangers of armed conflict by falsely boosting perceptions of India’s defence capabilities.

Moreover, CJP’s complaints cited violations related to national security, noting that the dissemination of false information during an already volatile military situation between India and Pakistan risked endangering operational confidentiality and public safety. By misreporting the scale and location of military operations and falsely broadcasting visuals of active air defence systems, the channels undermined diplomatic efforts and national security interests.

CJP concluded that such actions had the potential to mislead international observers, escalate bilateral tensions, and severely compromise journalistic responsibility in moments of national significance.

Violation of government advisories

This coverage is also in direct violation of multiple advisories issued by government authorities

including the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting:

“Advisory on live/real-time coverage of defence operations (MIB Advisory dated April 25, 2025): All media channels, digital platforms and individuals are advised to refrain from live coverage or real-time reporting of defence operations and movement of security forces. Disclosure of such sensitive or source-based information may jeopardise operational effectiveness.”

The news channels, in their rush to report “military actions,” irresponsibly broadcasted speculative and unverified visuals during prime-time programming, falsely portraying old footage from a different conflict zone as evidence of India’s military strikes over Pakistan’s drone. This not only misled the public but also potentially compromised operational and national security.

Advisory to counter disinformation during sensitive times

CJP stated that, through social media platforms, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had urged citizens to, in sensitive times like these, be wary of disinformation being spread on social media. The advisory emphasised verifying any piece of news, image, or video before sharing or forwarding.

The broadcast in question blatantly disregarded this advisory by airing unverified and repurposed footage — originally the Iron Dome from 2021 — and falsely presenting as authentic visuals from an ongoing India-Pakistan conflict. This constitutes a serious breach of ethical responsibility, especially during heightened national tension.

In sensitive times like these, it is necessary to be wary of disinformation being spread on social media.

Always verify any piece of news, image, or video before you forward.

If you come across suspicious or misleading content, report it to @PIBFactCheck #FactCheck… pic.twitter.com/UBNCdvy5gB

— Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (@MIB_India) May 9, 2025

CJP highlights potential consequences of irresponsible coverage

The recent use of misleading and outdated footage by major news channels such as AAJ Tak, India TV, Times Now Navbharat, NDTV, ABP News, and News18 constitutes a serious violation of journalistic ethics and regulatory standards. These channels have relied on three key forms of misinformation: the airing of old Israeli defence videos passed off as Indian airstrikes, the wrongful identification of an Indian educator as a Pakistani terrorist, and the misrepresentation of archived combat footage as real-time military operations during ‘Operation Sindoor’. These missteps form the basis of six core complaints:

1.  Fake War Footage: The channels aired outdated Israeli airstrike and iron dome videos, misidentifying them as Indian airstrikes in Jaisalmer, misleading the public during a time of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan.
2.  Dangerous Defamation: An Indian educator was falsely labelled as a Pakistani terrorist, a gross act of defamation that puts innocent lives at risk.
3.  Erroneous Terrorism Reporting: News 18 wrongly portrayed civilian deaths as the elimination of terrorists, perpetuating dangerous narratives and misinformation.

This type of misreporting is deeply concerning, as it not only escalates public panic but also influences national sentiment with falsehoods, contributing to a climate of fear and hostility. Senior journalists, who are typically trusted by the public for accurate reporting, further amplify the damage by failing to properly verify the footage. Basic checks, such as reverse image searches, could have easily identified the true origins of the material, but these were overlooked.

CJP asserted that, the consequences of such reckless coverage are severe. These actions risk destabilising regional diplomatic relations, undermine public trust in the media, and trivialise the suffering caused by real global conflicts. Given the responsibility of the media to inform the public with accuracy and fairness, especially during sensitive geopolitical moments, these channels have failed to uphold their duty, deepening scepticism toward legitimate news and paving the way for further disinformation. The channels must act promptly to remove these videos and issue a public apology, ensuring that only verified, factual content is broadcast during national crises.

CJP urged immediate action from all channels

In light of the serious violations outlined, CJP demands immediate corrective and restorative actions from the six channels involved — AAJ Tak, India TV, Times Now Navbharat, NDTV, ABP News, and News18:

• Corrigendum and on-air correction: Acknowledge and correct the false claims aired on the channels, through on-air corrections with equal prominence and visibility as the original segments. we must be scheduled to attract maximum viewer attention, and not relegated to off-peak timeslots.
• Public apology to viewers and affected communities: A formal, unconditional apology must be issued by the channels, both on-air and on all digital platforms, for the dissemination of false and misleading visuals and the resultant panic and misinformation caused.
• Immediate removal of the broadcast videos and related content from the channels must be permanently removed from all platforms, including YouTube and X, to prevent continued circulation of this misinformation

Over News18’s misreporting, CJP insists on a formal and unconditional apology. This apology must be prominently broadcast on-air and across all digital platforms, directly addressing the profound pain and defamation inflicted upon the family and the community of Poonch, CJP asked

Related:

Broadcasting Bias: CJP’s fight against hatred in Indian news

NBDSA cracks down on biased anchors: Orders content removal from Times Now Navbharat and Zee News based on CJP’s complaints

Holding power to account: CJP’s efforts to combat hate and polarisation

The post Apology and Accountability: CJP files complaint with six news channels for airing misleading war clips, false terror claims in ‘Operation Sindoor’ coverage appeared first on SabrangIndia.

This means that South Asia has one of the highest population densities in the world, estimated as the number of people living in one square km.

While the entire world has a population density of about 60, South Asia has a population density of 303, over five times the world average.

In several cities of South Asia the population density can be many times more. In the most densely populated district of Karachi Central, the population density is 55,396. In Kolkata this is 24,252.

One of the implications of very high population density is that in any modern-day war which uses very destructive weapons, loss of life can potentially be much higher compared to most other countries. To mention two war and civil war-ravaged countries which have suffered high war-related mortality in recent times, Ukraine has population density of 67 while Sudan has population density of 29. This gives an indication of potentially how high war mortality can be in conditions of very high population density that prevail in South Asia.

These and several other facts regarding very high risks must be kept in consideration at a time when a lot of concern is being expressed regarding the increasing possibilities of escalation of war-risks involving India and Pakistan.

However the single most important factor is not regarding the risk escalation of recent days. The most important fact is that India and Pakistan have stepped back from such high risk situations in the past to avoid war. If they could do so in the past, they should be able to do so now too, thereby saving South Asia from massive distress and disaster.

Both sides are heavily armed and are in a position to procure more weapons from bigger powers. Both sides are nuclear weapon powers and there are estimates of the two countries having a total of about 340 nuclear weapons, more or less in equal numbers.

War involving any such two countries A and B may take this path—in the first few days there is high loss of life from conventional weapons on both sides but with the passage of time the bigger conventional power A gains a clear edge, and then faced with a serious crisis, the weaker power B resorts to using nuclear weapons and in reply immediately the stronger power A also uses nuclear weapons.

Of course this is not a very likely path as leaders of both countries being well aware of the unacceptably high dangers of nuclear weapons are likely to stop short of using these but at the same time the possibility of use of nuclear weapons cannot be ruled out entirely, and this is a very big risk indeed, an unacceptably high risk.

The risks have also increased at present because of other big wars occupying the attention of great powers. However even otherwise the will-power for playing non-partisan mediator role has reduced and instead there is much more arbitrariness in evidence at the international level. The role of the United Nations has been steadily becoming less significant.

At the same time the existence of bilateral security arrangements or risk-minimizing arrangements between India and Pakistan are extremely weak and inadequate just now.

Hence the best policy for both countries is to quickly move back from any risks of war. Leaders of both countries simply have to display greater maturity and commitment to peace and if they do so, history will still remember them for saving South Asia from disaster.

People of both countries have deep respect for several sacred sites and places of great cultural heritage located in the other country. People of both countries have much to benefit from having better relations with each other. Let us not forget all this in the heat of the present day intense hostilities. If good sense of quickly stopping further escalation prevails today, in the coming years this wisdom and good sense will be greatly appreciated by the people as well as the upcoming generation.

The world is already deeply troubled by war and conflict. Let us not add to this by igniting a new one between two nuclear weapon countries. No other kind of war can be more risky than a war between two nuclear weapon countries.

Both countries have important development challenges ahead of them. The path of development and meeting the needs and aspirations of all people will be seriously harmed if war breaks out.

If this war breaks out then everyone involved will suffer to some extent and in some way or the other, and in the worst case scenario there will be the kind of massive destruction that only nuclear weapons can cause. Neighbouring countries not involved in the war will also be very adversely affected.

So the leaders of both the countries should do their best to avoid the possibility of such a war.

(The author is Honorary Convener, Campaign to Save Earth Now. His recent books include Protecting Earth for Children, Planet in Peril, A Day in 2071 and Man over Machine—A Path to Peace)           

The post South Asia must stay away from war: High risks and costs for all appeared first on SabrangIndia.

It is imperative that what has happened should not be exaggerated, and the tendency of certain sections to exaggerate and hence further provoke conflict between two neighbouring countries of the global south should be checked.

In fact it is important to emphasise that this is a time for de-escalation, restraint and diplomacy to ensure that any further escalation can be avoided. It is important to emphasise that the two countries are not at war with each other, and it is certainly possible to avoid a war at this stage. Such situations have arisen in the past, even during the last decade, and therefore even now, things could be scaled back without causing a war. The situation at present is no worse than it was at that time. If good sense prevails, then two neighbours could gradually revert back towards more or less normal times. There is no reason why this cannot happen again. Exaggerated accounts will only worsen the prospects for peace.

India’s stand on the attack in the form of Operation Sindoor in the early hours of May 7 has been conveyed in these words, “Our actions have been focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature. No Pakistani military facilities have been targeted. India has demonstrated considerable restraint in selection of targets and method of execution.”

This is very far from being war-talk. From this point if de-escalation and restraint are exercised, as emphasised by the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres earlier on May 5, it is certainly possible to avoid war. The UN Chief had stated on May 5 that it is very important to avoid a military confrontation that could spin out of control. He also stated that the UN stands ready to support any initiative of de-escalation, diplomacy and a renewed commitment to peace. Now again on May 7 soon after the attack the UN Chief has again called for ‘maximum military restraint” adding that the world cannot afford a war between the two countries.

Exchange of fire has been reported since the Pahalgam attack from some border areas, and various kinds of hostile measures have been announced by both sides, including those relating to trade, economic ties, travel and water-sharing. One hopes that following de-escalation several of these decisions can be reconsidered by both sides. However the biggest urgency just now is to avoid the possibility of further escalation which, as the UN chief has warned, has the danger of spinning out of control. Such a high risk should be avoided in all circumstances as both sides are nuclear weapon countries and it is widely recognized that any war between such countries should always be avoided. There may be very low likelihood of actual use of nuclear weapons as leaders of both countries are after all well aware of the possibility that the nearly 340 nuclear weapons the two countries are estimated to possess can destroy the entire region and in fact a much wider area. Nevertheless even with the low likelihood of actual use, the well-established understanding and wisdom is that the potential of destruction being so high, two nuclear weapon countries should not come even close to the possibility of war.   An already deeply troubled world simply cannot afford such high risks and all arguments are strongly in favour of de-escalation and return to near normalcy in the relationship between India and Pakistan as early as possible.

(The author is Honorary Convener, Campaign to Save Earth Now. His recent books include Saving Earth for Children, Planet in Peril, A Day in 2071 and Man over Machine—A Path to Peace)        

Related:

Pahalgam: Voices of peace and reason in times of war

Poonch Victims: Civilians as targets of shelling

The post After India’s ‘limited strikes’ on Pakistan, de-escalation, restraint, diplomacy needed to avoid war appeared first on SabrangIndia.

X informed that “X has received executive orders from the Indian government requiring X to block over 8,000 accounts in India, subject to potential penalties including significant fines and imprisonment of the company’s local employees.”

X has received executive orders from the Indian government requiring X to block over 8,000 accounts in India, subject to potential penalties including significant fines and imprisonment of the company’s local employees. The orders include demands to block access in India to…

— Global Government Affairs (@GlobalAffairs) May 8, 2025

Targeted accounts include international media and prominent users

According to X, the orders require blocking access to a broad range of accounts, including those belonging to international news organisations and prominent users on the platform.  Notably, the government has not provided specific details about the alleged legal violations committed by many of these accounts.

“The orders include demands to block access in India to accounts belonging to international news organisations and prominent X users. In most cases, the Indian government has not specified which posts from an account have violated India’s local laws. For a significant number of accounts, we did not receive any evidence or justification to block the accounts,” X said.

We disagree with the Indian government’s demands: X

To comply with the government’s directives, X stated it will withhold the specified accounts exclusively in India, ensuring they remain accessible from outside the country.

“We have begun that process. However, we disagree with the Indian government’s demands. Blocking entire accounts is not only unnecessary, it amounts to censorship of existing and future content…” X said

X raises concerns over censorship and transparency

While moving forward with compliance, X strongly criticised the nature of the orders. It emphasised that blocking entire accounts amounts to pre-emptive censorship and threatens the free flow of information. X reiterated the importance of transparency in such matters and expressed frustration that legal constraints prevent it from publishing the executive orders.

“We believe that making these executive orders public is essential for transparency – lack of disclosure discourages accountability and can contribute to arbitrary decision-making. However, due to legal restrictions, we are unable to publish the executive orders at this time,” it said.

Legal action and advice to impacted users

X also revealed that it is exploring all possible legal avenues to contest the government’s directives. However, it acknowledged limitations in challenging these orders under Indian law and urged affected users to seek redress through the courts.

“Unlike users located in India, X is restricted by Indian law in its ability to bring legal challenges against these executive orders. However, we encourage all users who are impacted by these blocking orders to seek appropriate relief from the courts,” the post by X said.

We have no knowledge of the reason for the government’s arbitrary action: Maktoob

Following a government directive, X has withheld the X account of Maktoob Media in India. The platform has not provided a clear explanation, and the reasons behind this action remain undisclosed.

Aslah Kayyalakkath, founding editor of Maktoob Media, condemned the move, calling it an arbitrary act that strikes at the heart of press freedom.

“We have learned that @MaktoobMedia’s X account has been withheld in India in response to a legal demand. We have no knowledge of the reason for the government’s arbitrary action. It is an assault on press freedom,” he stated. He further added that publication’s continued commitment to independent journalism despite mounting pressure.

We have learned that @MaktoobMedia’s X account has been withheld in India in response to a legal demand. We have no knowledge of the reason for the government’s arbitrary action. It is an assault on press freedom. Maktoob pledges to continue its crucial work at a time when truth… pic.twitter.com/jjjggFt8ak

— Aslah Kayyalakkath (@aslahtweets) May 8, 2025

“Maktoob pledges to continue its crucial work at a time when truth is becoming a casualty. At this hour of crisis, we ask our allies to share links from our website to help people access our reporting. We are many, many more than them” he said

The withholding of Maktoob Media’s account comes amid a growing pattern of restrictions on digital media platforms, raising fresh concerns over freedom of expression and the silencing of critical voices.

X account of senior journalist Anuradha Bhasin suspended, TheWire also faces crackdown

The X account of senior journalist Anuradha Bhasin, Executive Editor of Kashmir Times, has been suspended. Bhasin, known for her independent and fearless reporting from Kashmir, has been a significant voice for credible journalism, often providing verified, on-the-ground information that challenges official narratives.

Along with Bhasin’s account suspension, The Wire, one of India’s few remaining independent digital news outlets, has been blocked nationwide. But later visible.

Journalist Mandeep Punia has raised concerns over the growing crackdown on independent voices. He criticised the suspension of Bhasin’s account and the blocking of The Wire‘s website, stating:
“Credible journalists are being blocked, while those spreading fake news are being promoted. The Wire’s website has been blocked, and senior journalist @AnuradhaBhasin_’s Twitter account, which consistently provided credible information, has also been suspended.”

सही ख़बरें दिखाने वालों को ब्लॉक किया जा रहा है और फेक न्यूज़ फैलाने वालों को प्रमोट. द वायर की वेबसाइट को ब्लॉक कर दिया गया है.

कश्मीर की सीनियर पत्रकार @AnuradhaBhasin_ का ट्विटर अकाउंट भी ब्लॉक कर दिया गया है, वह लगातार क्रेडिबल जानकारियां पहुँचा रही थीं. https://t.co/2sCAu4uOmR

— Mandeep Punia (@mandeeppunia1) May 9, 2025

Siddharth Varadarajan of The Wire responds to the crackdown

Siddharth Varadarajan, founder of The Wire, has condemned the actions against his platform and Bhasin’s account. He called the blocking of the website and account a clear violation of press freedom in India. Varadarajan’s statement read:

“Dear readers of The Wire, in a clear violation of the Constitutional guarantee of freedom of the press, the Government of India has blocked access to thewire.in across India.”

Dear Readers of The Wire In a clear violation of the Constitutional guarantee of freedom of the press, the Government of India has blocked access to https://t.co/BCdnZhucBj across India. + pic.twitter.com/YO0TlQkVVL

— Siddharth (@svaradarajan) May 9, 2025

After post, X’s Global Affairs account temporarily withheld in India, later restored

After the Indian government directed the blocking of approximately 8,000 accounts on X (formerly Twitter), citing national security concerns, the platform made this information public through its official global affairs handle, @GlobalAffairs. The move sparked widespread discussion and debate across the internet about the nature and transparency of such governmental block orders. In a surprising development, shortly after these discussions gained traction, the @GlobalAffairs account itself was briefly withheld in India.

Reacting to the development, ALT News co-founder and fact-checker Mohammed Zubair posted on X, “Wait! @GlobalAffairs is withheld in India.”

Wait! @GlobalAffairs is withheld in India. pic.twitter.com/RkYbgC8CkE

— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) May 9, 2025

However, the account became visible again soon after.

The account is now visible but the post is withheld now. https://t.co/rUDhqzi7UG

— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) May 9, 2025

Pakistan-based news outlets blocked on X amid heightened India-Pakistan tensions

The X (formerly Twitter) handles of prominent Pakistan-based news organisations such as Dawn and GeoNews are currently inaccessible in India, marking a continuation of the government’s broader clampdown on digital content originating from across the border. This move comes in the wake of Operation Sindoor, India’s recent military action, and reflects a growing strategy of information control during times of national security concerns.

In a rare disclosure, X revealed the volume of content takedown requests issued by Indian authorities, shedding light on the expansive scale of censorship tied to the operation. The restrictions follow a similar move last month when, after the Pahalgam terror attack, the Indian government banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels—including major broadcasters like Dawn News, Samaa TV, ARY News, and GeoNews—accusing them of spreading provocative, communally sensitive content and disinformation targeting India and its security forces.

Disinformation surge on social media during ‘Operation Sindoor’

As Operation Sindoor unfolded in the early hours of Wednesday, platforms like X became a breeding ground for disinformation. Unverified visuals of airstrikes, exaggerated claims of retaliatory attacks, and even repurposed footage from video games were widely circulated, contributing to confusion and misinformation.

Pakistan Propaganda Alert!

A video showing a heavy MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket Systems) barrage is being falsely shared as a real Pakistani attack on India.#PIBFactCheck

The video is from a video game and has been online for over 3 years.

It has no connection to… pic.twitter.com/VXAE93YfXs

— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 9, 2025

The Press Information Bureau’s (PIB) fact-check unit actively intervened, debunking several viral posts. One such claim involved a forged letter allegedly written by a Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) scientist about a supposed BrahMos missile failure—PIB confirmed the letter was fake and that no such scientist exists.

Fake Letter Alert

A letter undersigned by scientist AS Kumar from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is being circulated online alleging a failure in BrahMos missile components.#PIBFactCheck

The letter is fake

@DRDO_India has not issued any… pic.twitter.com/Spd2Hy0QTi

— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 7, 2025

In another instance, old footage of a crashed aircraft was falsely linked to a recent Pakistani strike, alleging the downing of an Indian Rafale jet near Bahawalpur.

Propaganda Alert!

Beware of old images shared by pro-Pakistan handles in the present context!

An #old image showing a crashed aircraft is being circulated with the claim that Pakistan recently shot down an Indian Rafale jet near Bahawalpur during the ongoing #OperationSindoor… pic.twitter.com/LdkJ1JYuH0

— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 7, 2025

PIB verified that the footage was outdated and the claim baseless.

Related:

Hate Watch: Twitter suspends Kreately Media’s account after CJP complaints

The curious case of Twitter suspensions

Will Twitter fly away from India soon?

The post Following executive order from government, X asked to block 8000 accounts in India appeared first on SabrangIndia.

While Poonch is reportedly the worst hit, several sectors in Kashmir Valley were also reportedly rocked by shelling. The Indian Army confirmed that a soldier had died on Wednesday. “GOC and all ranks of White Knight Corps salute the supreme sacrifice of L/Nk Dinesh Kumar of 5 Fd Regt, who laid down his life on May 7 during Pakistan Army shelling. We also stand in solidarity with all victims of the targeted attacks on innocent civilians in Poonch sector,” the 16 Corps, Indian Army, posted on X.An unconfirmed list of other civilians killed by Pakistani shelling (totalling 15) – published by Maktoob Media includes: Balvinder Kaur alias Ruby (aged 33), Mohd Zain Khan (aged 10 years), Zoya Khan (12), Mohd Akram (40), Amrik Singh (55), Mohd Iqbal (45), Ranjeet Singh (48), Shakeela Bi (40), Amarjeet Singh (47), Maryam Khatoun (7), Vihaan Bhargav (13), Mohd Rafi (40) and three identified.

#OperationSindoor | Pak Army Shelling Kills Civilians In Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch, Tangdhar

NDTV’s @ghazalimohammad joins @maryashakil with a ground report from Rajouri pic.twitter.com/9GJgzqA8yF

— NDTV (@ndtv) May 8, 2025

The local Sikh community suffered a heavy loss as at least four of its members were killed and the wall of a gurdwara was damaged when Pakistan reportedly launched heavy shelling early Wednesday in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir. Eyewitnesses described the intensity of the bombardment as worse than during the 1999 Kargil War. Social media first reported that according to officials, Amreek Singh and Ranjit Singh—local shopkeepers—ex-army official Amarjeet Singh, and homemaker Ruby Kaur were killed instantly when a shell exploded near them, sending shockwaves through the community.

Meanwhile, the family of Mohammad Iqbal, who was killed in the shelling at Poonch, and who worked as a teacher at the Jamia Zia Ul Uloom has taken strong objection at news channels ABP News, Zee News and TV 18 for dubbing the slain victim as a ‘terrorist.’ They have urged the Poonch District Collector and the Poonch police to also initiate action, and have now been reported to have decided to initiate legal action against the errant channels themselves.

This is shameful by Indian News Channels. Qari Mohammad Iqbal from poonch, India was killed yesterday in shelling from Pakistan is being portrayed as a ‘terrorist’ in multiple national Indian news channels. pic.twitter.com/8yXkUaJswd

— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) May 8, 2025

Qari Mohammad Iqbal was killed in Pakistani shelling in Poonch. He was a civilian. He worked as a teacher at Jamia Zia ul uloom, Poonch.

ABP news falsely reported that he was a terrorist killed by Indian airstrikes in POK.https://t.co/lPfnPDv53e pic.twitter.com/eJ7C20XguJ

— Alishan Jafri (@alishan_jafri) May 8, 2025

On May 7, the shelling took the roofs of Amreek Singh’s shop reducing it to rubble while the nearby gurudwara, Nangali Sahib was also struck during the shelling. Situated in the lap of a picturesque hill on the banks of the Drungali Nallah, it is situated about four kilometres from Poonch town and in Poonch distrct in the Jammu region. It is also recognised as one of the oldest shrines for the Sikhs in northern India.

Cowardly act by #Pakistanarmy !

Pakistan has targeted a Gurudwara sahib located in Poonch Kashmir.

Heartfelt condolences to the families of Bhai Amrik Singh Ragi, Amarjeet Singh (ex-Army personnel) & Ranjit Singh, a shopkeeper from #Poonch town, who were martyred in attack. pic.twitter.com/cxl4VvW9HN

— Jaspreet Kaur (@jaspreetsays) May 7, 2025

Amarjeet Singh (50), a devout Granthi who regularly performed Paath at the gurdwara is a former army person who, died in the shelling. He is survived by his wife, a son in Class 6, and a daughter. Amarjeet Singh also played the tabla at the gurdwara, while another victim, Amreek Singh, was a raagi who sang hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib at another gurdwara in Poonch. Both were killed at different locations.

Amreek Singh (39) also ran a small grocery shop below his house. He was the sole breadwinner of his family and is survived by two daughters and a son. He was with Ranjit Singh at Syndicate Chowk when a shell exploded in front of them, reported Indian Express. Both died on the spot. Amreek Singh had gone to open his shop. Meawnhile, Ruby Kaur (32), a homemaker, was killed in Mankote. She had three children, the youngest just a year and a half old.

The local Sikh population in Poonch, is estimated between 25,000 and 30,000, has been left shaken. “We have never witnessed such heavy shelling in Poonch before. We saw the Kargil war, but civilian establishments largely remained untouched. We thought we had learned to live under shelling. Today, that illusion was broken,” said Narinder Singh.

Following the incident, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, Acting Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, condemned the shelling. “The attack on Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha and the loss of Sikh lives is not just an event—it is a blow to humanity,” he said. He has also called for diplomacy, Jathedar Gargaj urged both India and Pakistan to reduce tensions. “Both governments must act with wisdom, not weapons,” he said. “Since 1947, this conflict has caused suffering, including to Hindus and Sikhs near the border. How many more must pay for a conflict they did not create?” asked Gargaj. “War always devours the innocent. Peace is not weakness—it is the strength we must summon.”

Related:

Homes Destroyed, Mass Detentions Following Pahalgam Attack

A Tranquil Paradise Shattered: The Pahalgam terror attack

The post Poonch Victims: Civilians as targets of shelling appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Fawad Ahmed Chaudhry a.k.a Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, has confused bhakts and war mongers on both sides of the border. Just 24 hours ago his bravado filled statement in the Pakistan National Assembly had launched a massive outcry, on both sides of the border. He was clearly heard and seen in the video clip boasting that Pakistan attacked Indian soldiers, deep in Indian territory in Pulwama in February 2019.

‘Ghar me ghuskar’ he said emphasizing on the intrusion deep into indian soil. “Humne Hindustan ko ghar mein ghus ke maara (We hit India in their home). Our success in Pulwama, is a success of the people under the leadership of Imran Khan. You and we are all part of that success,” Fawad Chaudhury had said in the national assembly.

Fawad Ahmed Chaudhry, in his moment of bluster did not even raise an original slogan. Instead he borrowed the ‘ghar me ghuskar’ line from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi who had in March 2019 slammed those who called the Indian Airforce strikes on terror camps in Pakistan as an electoral gimmick. “Humara siddhant hai, hum ghar me ghus ke marenge (It is our principle… we enter their hearth and attack)’ he had said. The PM’s followers had echoed those words for months after that.

Unlike PM Modi whose followers are steady in their devotion, Fawad Ahmed Chaudhry, faced attack from his fellow parliamentarians, and must have faced major heat from his own boss. He has had to eat his words, and retreat after being attacked for his statement which has put Pakistan’s position on terror under the scanner. The minister quickly changed his statement, appeared on Indian news channels and claimed that his remarks were misconstrued.

He told NDTV that “Pakistan doesn’t allow any terrorism, I was misinterpreted.” He told NDTV that his statement was about “Operation Swift Resort that we undertook after India dared to enter Pakistan territory on Balakot. I was talking about the post-Pulwama operation that Pakistan undertook.”

However, that has had little effect on the Indian side of the border as he is still believed to have suggested that Pakistan was responsible for the 2019 terrorist attack in Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir where 40 Indian paramilitary personnel were killed. Even then he has been making all attempts to take a smooth u-turn on the issue. Most actively reaching out to Indian audiences with social media posts such as these:

Meri jaan hear full speech so you will know unlike #Endian definition of #GhussKMarna by using terrorism n Kalbhoshans our #GhussKMarna is when our planes target combat installations,unlike Your security doctrine we do not show Bravery by killing innocents n we condemn terrorism https://t.co/bcAcJUP5DD

— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) October 29, 2020

You are quoting @fawadchaudhry out of context

He was mentioning the events after Pulwama Attack.
The misadventure of Hindustan and the way Pakistan gave you the bloody nose, which is still hurting! ??

Watch the full clip. #NeverForget https://t.co/fErAXBrmnf pic.twitter.com/nggYiBNm6U

— Fawad Chaudhry (Updates) (@FawadPTIUpdates) October 29, 2020

The February 14, 2019, deadly attack on a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) convoy in Pulwama had set off a massive chain reaction, India retaliated with air strikes on a terrorist camp in Pakistan’s Balakot. Pakistan then sent fighter jets to target Indian military installations, this was thwarted by the Indian Air Force. However, Indian Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was captured by Pakistani forces after his plane went down across the Line of Control. His release two days later had earned much praise for the country and all credit was given to Pakistan Prime Minister Imaran Khan’s diplomatic approach to the sensitive situation.

Over a year later, the issue was dusted and displayed as Pakistan minister Fawad Chaudhury’s extempore statement after opposition leader Ayaz Sadiq’s dramatic ‘disclosure’ that Pak Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa met after the aerial encounter and the decision to release Wing Commander Varthaman, was taken fearing that ‘India would attack Pakistan that night by 9 PM’. Multiple news reports quoted Ayaz Sadiq’s saying: “I remember Shah Mahmood Qureshi was in the meeting in which (Prime Minister) Imran Khan had refused to attend and Chief of Army Staff General Bajwa came into the room, his legs were shaking and he was perspiring. Foreign Minister said for God’s sake let Abhinandan go, India’s about to attack Pakistan at 9 PM.” 

In August 2019, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had filed a chargesheet in the case reported by The Scroll, it named 19 people, including Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar and his brother Rauf Asghar. According to the report, NIA’s investigation also revealed that Pakistan used Adil Ahmad Dar, the suicide bomber who rammed the CRPF convoy on February 14, because it wanted to project the attack as a result of a home-grown militancy against “India’s occupation of Kashmir”.

Meanwhile the Indian side took Pakistan’s internal war of words as a golden opportunity to attack the Opposition. Bharatiya Janata Party President JP Nadda on Thursday criticised Rahul Gandhi for mocking the Indian Army and the Narendra Modi government, reported The scroll. He he hoped the “Congress princeling found some light” after hearing Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Ayaz Sadiq’s statements about India. 

Veteran activist and CPI (M) politburo member Brinda Karat had written a powerful opinion in Feb 2019, exposing the Centre’s Double Standards in the aftermath of the horrific terrorist attack. She had stated that a unanimous resolution of the all-party meeting reflected the resolve of people across India to rebuff terrorist violence, and, as the resolution stated, “the support being given to it from across the border.” She lashed out at the way the then BJP’s president Amit Shah speech in Assam, saying “The sacrifices of our jawans will not go in vain since it is not a Congress government at the Centre but that of the BJP,” and saying it was “to make electoral gains from the killing of jawans” and that it gave “India’s opponents a handle to promote the theory that all this is part of the electoral strategy of the BJP.”  Reports of Kashmiris being targeted had emerged from different parts of the country. 

The war of words continues to fuel heated debates in 2020, as elections are now underway in Bihar, and in some other constituencies. And trolls have been busy for hours now attacking senior journalist Rajdeep Sardesai who conducted an interview with Fawad Chowdry yesterday where he backtracked on his own statement. The least Pak Fawad Ahmed Chaudhry could do was use an original slogan.

 

Related: 

Going against EC advisory, PM Modi asks people to dedicate their votes to Balakot soldiers

Anantnag’s BJP candidate says Kashmiri students ‘deserved’ to be attacked after Pulwama attacks

Pulwama Aftermath: The Love for Sikh Community

Pulwama Response: Choose Peace over Political Posturing and Propaganda

Opinion: Centre’s Double Standards Exposed In Aftermath Of Pulwama Terror

The post Why did Pak Minister plagiarise PM Modi’s ‘ghar me ghuskar’ line? appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Image Courtesy: AFP
 
As the reports of Indian Air Force’s pre-emptive strike on the Jaish-e-Mohammad terror camps inside Pakistan territory came, there was a sense of gratitude among ordinary Indians who felt that the terror camps must be destroyed at all costs. But the media and those who want to use these bombings to take advantage of the political climate are using all their energy in chest thumping as if it was they who did it.
 
Political reactions were mature and in line with their policies. All complimented our forces for their bravery but the prime minister and BJP leaders claimed it as their victory. It is the same people who, during the Uttarakhand tragedy or attack on Taj, did not give credit to the government but made every effort to suggest that the government was different than the army and forces.
 
Today, all the political parties across the spectrum have supported the strike which is a good sign and BJP and its leaders must desist from taking credit for these claims. Secondly, these issues are of utmost importance and therefore it is important to leave the army and the Indian diplomacy to deal with the issue and not convert it into another hate propaganda back home. India must face this together and in unison, as many attempts to divide us will be created.
 
The biggest casualty during the ‘wartime’ is the truth, particularly when media become part of the propaganda machinery of the governing. India and Pakistan media are competing with each other when it comes to who can stoop to the lowest level of ridiculousness. We are not even allowing the army and the requisite Ministry to handle it.
 
After Pulwama, we felt proud of the way CRPF officers sent their categorical message to the country that their Jawans did not die to create religious polarisation and hatred in the country. I can say that the Ministry of External Affairs Press briefing was also mature and balanced. Of course, the claims and figures mentioned are only as per the ‘information’ received. The best part was when the Foreign Secretary Mr Vijay Gokhale spoke in a fairly measured way about ‘India’s ‘non-military pre-emptive strike’ which clearly mean that for India it was not a war against Pakistan but the specific target of ‘eliminating’ the terrorists’ camps and outfits.
 
Now, it is another matter whether those camps, terrorists, hatemongers or Jihadis have been killed and whether the threat to common Indians from these terror outfits is now finished. Frankly, it was not a press-conference but a statement of India’s position after crossing the LoC or International Border.
 
Now the ‘entertainment’ channels are reporting from ‘sources’ that over 300 terrorists were killed including Yousuf Azhar, brother in law of Masood Azhar, the chief of Jaish-e-Mohammad. The point is how do our news reporters come to the conclusion about the deaths and the individual when the entire operation was carried out in the night and just confined to the bombing of a particular target without any ground operations? Why can’t the media keep quiet when the military establishment has not spoken about these things.
 
The problem is that war or military can be used for short term process to control situations to a certain degree but ultimately, we all have to resort to using the political process. India and Pakistan cannot absolve themselves from the political process as there is no other option. There are however, people on both the sides who think of eliminating or deleting communities and countries from the world map. Added with idiotic fulmination and hateful jingoism being played by the corporate sponsored TV channels who celebrate these stories of war when people want peace.
 
During a war, the level of rhetoric grows and all this is highly patriarchal, talking of machoism and creating a false narrative of your ‘strength’. An example of this is Pakistan and what it is facing today because of fanatic Islamic groups who are extra-state actors and think they are the law unto themselves, with the army actively backing them. It is these fanatics whose shout is more audible than the common person in the street who wants friendly relations with India.
 
The danger of extra-state actors destroying democratic and constitutional values in India is equally powerful. We should be more worried because whatever form of democracy was here, it is better than any military or dictatorial regime. We all know who are the forces taking law in their hand and abusing people at their will. Democracy there was always fragile and under control of the military but we can’t have the same in India. Our forces have shown an extremely professional approach on the issue of being non-political but for the last few years, we are witnessing the political leadership trying to reap the political benefit of a military action. The soldiers die for the country and the politicians want to benefit politically.
 
Geopolitical war games are difficult to understand. It is surprising that India did not speak anything about the suicide attack on Iranian Revolutionary Guards in which 27 of these guards were killed and the Iranian Defence Minister blamed Pakistan based militant groups.
 
Why was India silent about this and did not attempt to find a common thread of Pakistani support for these extra state actors. It is also strange that we were more than eager to blame the Saudis who did not even bother to condemn the Pulwama killing through an official statement. Was India’s decision of ignoring Iran because of the fear of Americans who want to isolate Iran? Where is the independent foreign policy? Even Afghanistan has blamed Pakistan based Jehadi groups trying to destabilise their government but it is surprising we do not have any common strategy with these countries.
 
President Donald Trump and his North Korean counterpart Kim Jong Un are meeting in Vietnam, which gives a new hope to the world that ultimately the nations will have to speak to each other and take a clear stand against forces that have state patronage to destabilise their neighbours. Each country today has problem points and they need to resolve them by creating better circumstances and building confidence among people.
 
India has said that it carried out the ‘non-military pre-emptive strike’ on Pakistan because there were specific intelligence inputs that Jaish had planned to carry out more suicide attacks in India. Should we think that now, we will not have any further escalation? Will Pakistan keep quiet or respond? Will they act against the terror groups? Saying that it does not exist, when they raise open threats, is basically a blatant lie and will justify Indian action given the situation world over when nation states have to take care of their people and protect them. The only thing is whether the threat to people at large will be reduced or end.
 
It is time for all of us to stop with this jingoism and let the forces and the diplomats handle the issue. We are not afraid of the government taking a decision to protect people but our problem is the fanatics back home trying to wage a war against our own people simply because we may not follow their political ideologies. Armed forces will protect us and may win us a war but our biggest threat is from the jingoism and hatred being spread on the silver screen by the corrupted media which divides people and is creating war hysteria.
 
We have trust in the maturity of our forces but zero trust on these loudspeakers who have no sense of accountability and responsibility towards the people. We hope good sense will prevail and diplomatic efforts will isolate the terror outfits and hatemongers not only nationally, but also internationally, so that we can wage a decisive war against poverty, superstition, discrimination and illiteracy as defeating them will make us a great nation and a big power.

The views expressed here are the author’s personal views, and do not necessarily represent the views of Sabrangindia.
 

The post Opinion: Can we let the military and diplomats do their jobs instead of warmongering? appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Image: PTI
 
I went to participate in a candlelight event paying homage to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s statue on February 16, two days after the dastardly terrorist act in Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir, in which about 44 Central Reserve Police Force personnel were killed.
 
The event was organised by about 200 Dalit students on Hazratganj main crossing in Lucknow. The condolence meeting by Dalits students was sombre and no slogans were raised. At the neighbouring Mahatma Gandhi statue, a smaller number of nationalist groups of different shades were crying hoarse and shouting anti-Pakistan slogans, a sight that may have made Gandhi cringe.
 
The crucial question that arises is that why do such terrorist attacks continue to take place, if the Indian government, as claimed by the Prime Minister, has already given a fitting reply to Pakistan after the Uri terrorist attack in the form of a surgical strike? There is a clamour among the Hindutva hardliners for a stronger surgical strike. If the 2016 surgical strike has not deterred Pakistan based terror groups or the Pakistani Army, what is the guarantee that a fresh one will? And how many surgical strikes are issued before it triggers a full-fledged war? And who knows when the war will degenerate into a nuclear one? In fact, the Government of India’s hard-line position against Pakistan and refusal for dialogue has made the situation worse.
 
While in Afghanistan the United States prepares to pull out its troops, India has been left in the cold. Donald Trump, who till now had adopted a reprimanding attitude towards Pakistan for giving shelter to terrorist organisations, has now realised their importance in brokering a peace deal with the Taliban. Now he ridicules Narendra Modi as someone who tells him that India has built a library, undermining the Parliament building made by previous Indian governments in Kabul. Meanwhile, Narendra Modi, who did not spare any international forums to demand isolation of Pakistan for its role in promoting terror, failed to convince even one important nation. China blocked the Indian attempt at United Nations to declare Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar, the man behind the 2001 Parliament attack and also behind the recent Pulwama incident, to be named a global terrorist. Russia, which was considered close to India, is now building a military partnership with Pakistan.
 
The Indian government, like in past terrorist attacks, continues to blame Pakistan for the Pulwama terrorist attack. Can the Pakistani government be held responsible for JeM’s act? India thinks so, but the rest of the world doesn’t agree with this point of view. Will Pakistani government risk supporting such an attack on India when it is just about to host US-Taliban talks in Islamabad and is happy to be back in the good books of US? It desperately needs the US financial help to sustain its security apparatus.
 
India must realise that the victim card it plays is not isolating Pakistan but is increasingly making India helpless. In no position to launch a full-fledged war because of the impending danger of the use of nuclear weapons, it is in India’s interest to buy peace with Pakistan and restore normalcy in Kashmir.
 
Facing marginalisation in Afghanistan peace talks, Indian government through its Army chief Bipin Rawat has signalled that it is willing to talk to the Taliban. This same government refuses to engage with the elected government of Pakistan, has failed to work out a coalition in J&K with People’s Democratic Party and does not acknowledge the presence of All Parties Hurriyat Conference, which possibly has more hold on people than any political party there.
 
In fact, it questioned Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi for having had telephonic talks with Hurriyat leaders recently. It doesn’t believe in dialogue and doesn’t want anybody else to dialogue with anybody else. This holier than thou attitude has played havoc with people of J&K.
 
If the Indian government has no qualm about talking to the Taliban then it should reconsider its position on avoiding dialogue with Pakistan and Kashmiri political actors. Imran Khan has pre-empted India by taking the Kartarpur Corridor initiative forcing it to cooperate as the Indian government cannot afford to hurt religious sentiments of the Sikh community. It should initiate a full-fledged dialogue process at the highest level. It cannot hope to have a better combination than Imran Khan and Shah Mehmood Qureshi at the helm of affairs in Pakistan. It is a pity that there are attempts to cow down Navjot Singh Sidhu for advocating dialogue with Pakistan, who seems to be the only Indian politician who is trying to inject some sanity in the otherwise virulent atmosphere created in the country in the name of nationalist politics.
 
To restore peace in J&K, the Indian government must engage Hurriyat leaders, pave the way for State elections, possibly along with General elections, and help in the formation of the next elected government. But most importantly, the army and para-military forces have to be pulled out from inside Kashmir. The Indian government has to trust the J&K government to run its own affairs with the help of local police to control law and order situations like in other states. Army’s role should be limited to protecting borders only. Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) must be given a silent burial, vocal demand for which was made by Omar Abdullah when he was serving as Chief Minister.
 
In essence, until the Indian government stops treating Kashmir like its colony, peace is unlikely to return to the valley. No government can use pellet guns on its own people.
 
We have moved away from the Gandhian values, especially in the current regime headed by Narendra Modi who doesn’t visualise Gandhi’s role beyond the sanitation campaign. And we have to rely on our Constitution to bring back normalcy to Kashmir. Narendra Modi has to expand his 56 inches chest to allow a larger heart to extend a hand of friendship and peace to people of Kashmir, its political actors, even those of separatist hues, and Pakistan. It must reach a written or an unwritten arrangement, just like the one with China, to not let soldiers from either side use any firepower.
 
Both governments will have to jointly deal with terrorists because terror organisations based in Pakistan are hurting the Pakistani population probably more than the Indian population, something which very few people in India realise.
 

The post Opinion: Chest thumping and war mongering must give way to trust, peace and friendship appeared first on SabrangIndia.