It is exactly a month since the dastardly terror attack at Pahalgam shook the nation, leading to widespread condemnation across India and globally, of the massacre and forces enabling such mindless violence.
The National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM) deplores it remains a painful puzzle to this day, as to how the armed assailants were able to enter the area undetected, wilfully select victims and leave undetected after one of the most heinous acts of terror by non-state actors in the region in recent years.
NAPM demands a thorough investigation be conducted and its findings be made public at the earliest. As the Home Minister’s Office is directly accountable for the deaths of these 26 people, it said that the Minister in charge must respect the responsibility of his office or step down from it.
“We must critically analyze the foreign policy setbacks in the wake of terror attacks and war, understand the intertwined politics of Pahalgam and Operation Sindoor, challenge hate and misinformation campaigns of mainstream media”, it said.
NAPM deplored that in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor there have been over 100 recorded incidents of intimidation, assault and hate speech by Hindutva vigilantes Indian citizens of Kashmir as well as those belonging to the Muslim community.
“We have also witnessed attempts to politicise the role of the military and spread communal poison, not just from licensed media houses but also from the highest ranks of the political establishment. This includes a sitting Cabinet Minister from Madhya Pradesh calling Colonel Sofia Qureshi as being a “sister of terrorists”, and the Deputy Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh’s insulting statement of the Indian military “bowing at Modi’s feet””, it added.
NAPM also demands:
1. All efforts must be made to increase the scope and ambit of democracy in Kashmir. This includes, but is not limited to, restoring statehood, building trust, and protecting fundamental rights and freedoms of people in the region.
2.That the Indian government released a White Paper on Operation Sindoor, making public the details of the military actions conducted, including losses to ensure level headed assessment and ensure accountability of actions.
3. That both India and Pakistan make all efforts to avoid war or any direct military confrontation, in particular nuclear war. Both states must engage in diplomacy and dialogue to resolve all issues.
4. Indian Govt must end its reliance on repressive methods to quell democratic assertions in Kashmir. The Govt of Pakistan must proactively act against terrorist outfits operating from its soil. Both countries must work towards demilitarisation of the region and deepening of democracy.
5. That the conduct of Indian news media (particularly TV channels) be investigated by an independent tribunal. If it is found that these platforms ran fake news and conducted misinformation campaigns, then their broadcast licenses must be cancelled and their ownership penalised.
