PUCL condemns Pahalgam attack, calls for justice, de-escalation, protection of civil liberties

By A Representative

The People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) has issued a strong statement condemning the killing of 26 individuals, including tourists, a local pony ride operator, and a Nepalese national, in a deadly attack on April 22 in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The civil liberties organization has described the incident as one of the deadliest attacks in the region in the past 25 years.

Calling the killings "reprehensible and appalling," PUCL expressed solidarity with the victims’ families and urged the Government of India to ensure the arrest of the perpetrators and provide timely justice. The organization also demanded adequate compensation from both central and state governments.

PUCL acknowledged the government's efforts in responding swiftly to the tragedy, including the return of the Prime Minister from an overseas trip and the Home Minister's visit to the affected families. The prompt repatriation of bodies and assistance to the thousands of tourists returning home were also noted.

The organization praised the response of the local Kashmiri community in Pahalgam, highlighting candlelight vigils, condemnations from religious leaders and civil society groups, and symbolic gestures by newspapers and associations in the region. PUCL stated that these actions reflect widespread condemnation of the violence among Kashmiri citizens.

However, the PUCL also raised serious concerns regarding national security and intelligence failures, drawing parallels with the 2019 Pulwama attack. The statement questioned the absence of adequate security in a known tourist hub and called for accountability from security agencies.

In response to India’s diplomatic and strategic moves following the attack—including the downgrading of diplomatic ties with Pakistan and suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty—PUCL warned against further escalation. The group urged both India and Pakistan to pursue de-escalation and dialogue, stressing that heightened tensions between nuclear-armed nations could have catastrophic consequences.

The civil rights body also expressed concern over the reported detention of over 1,500 people in south Kashmir and the treatment of Kashmiri students and workers in other parts of India. PUCL cited reports of harassment, eviction, and physical attacks on Kashmiri students in several states, calling on the central government to ensure their safety and uphold their rights.

The organization further highlighted ongoing restrictions on civil liberties in Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. It called for the release of detained activists, journalists, and lawyers, and the restoration of media freedom and democratic rights.

In its concluding remarks, PUCL appealed for peace, cautioning against communalizing the tragedy and stressing the importance of empathy, solidarity, and constitutional values in the nation’s response.

The organization’s statement was jointly signed by PUCL President Kavita Srivastava and General Secretary Dr. V. Suresh.

Comments

Modi’s Israel visit strengthened Pakistan’s hand in US–Iran truce: Ex-Indian diplomat

By Jag Jivan M. K. Bhadrakumar , a career diplomat with three decades of service in postings across the former Soviet Union, Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Germany, and Turkey, has warned that the current truce in the US–Iran war is “fragile and ridden with contradictions.” Writing in his blog India Punchline , Bhadrakumar argues that while Pakistan has emerged as a surprising broker of dialogue, the durability of the ceasefire remains uncertain.

Manufacturing, services: India's low-skill, middle-skill labour remains underemployed

By Francis Kuriakose* The Indian economy was in a state of deceleration well before Covid-19 made its impact in early 2020. This can be inferred from the declining trends of four important macroeconomic variables that indicate the health of the economy in the last quarter of 2019.

Incarceration of Prof Saibaba 'revives' the question: What is crime, who is criminal?

By Kunal Pant* In 2016, a Supreme Court Judge asked the state of Maharashtra, “Do you want to extract a pound of flesh?” The statement was directed against the state for contesting the bail plea of Delhi University Professor GN Saibaba. Saibaba was arrested in 2014, a justification for which was to prevent him from committing what the police called “anti-national activities.”

Why Indo-Pak relations have been on 'knife’s edge' , hostilities may remain for long

By Utkarsh Bajpai* The past few decades have seen strides being made in all aspects of life – from sticks and stones to weaponry. The extreme case of this phenomenon has been nuclear weapons. The menace caused by nuclear weapons in the past is unforgettable. Images of Hiroshima and Nagasaki from 1945 come to mind, after the United States dropped two atomic bombs on the cities.

Food security? Gujarat govt puts more than 5 lakh ration cards in the 'silent' category

By Pankti Jog* A new statistical report uploaded by the Gujarat government on the national food security portal shows that ensuring food security for the marginalized community is still not a priority of the state. The statistical report, uploaded on December 24, highlights many weaknesses in implementing the National Food Security Act (NFSA) in state.

The soundtrack of resistance: How 'Sada Sada Ya Nabi' is fueling the Iran war

By Syed Ali Mujtaba* The Persian track “ Sada Sada Ya Nabi ye ” by Hossein Sotoodeh has taken the world by storm. This viral media has cut across linguistic barriers to achieve cult status, reaching over 10 million views. The electrifying music and passionate rendition by the Iranian singer have resonated across the globe, particularly as the high-intensity military conflict involving Iran entered its second month in March 2026.

Lata Mangeshkar, a Dalit from Devdasi family, 'refused to sing a song' about Ambedkar

By Pramod Ranjan* An artist is known and respected for her art. But she is equally, or even more so known and respected for her social concerns. An artist's social concerns or in other words, her worldview, give a direction and purpose to her art. History remembers only such artists whose social concerns are deep, reasoned and of durable importance. Lata Mangeshkar (28 September 1929 – 6 February 2022) was a celebrated playback singer of the Hindi film industry. She was the uncrowned queen of Indian music for over seven decades. Her popularity was unmatched. Her songs were heard and admired not only in India but also in Pakistan, Bangladesh and many other South Asian countries. In this article, we will focus on her social concerns. Lata lived for 92 long years. Music ran in her blood. Her father also belonged to the world of music. Her two sisters, Asha Bhonsle and Usha Mangeshkar, are well-known singers. Lata might have been born in Indore but the blood of a famous Devdasi family...

'Batteries now cheap enough for solar to meet India's 90% demand': Expert quotes Ember study

By A Representative Shankar Sharma, Power & Climate Policy Analyst, has urged India’s top policymakers to reconsider the financial and ecological implications of the country’s energy transition strategy in light of recent global developments. In a letter dated April 10, 2026, addressed to the Union Ministers of Finance, Power, New & Renewable Energy, Environment, Forest & Climate Change, and the Vice Chair of NITI Aayog, with a copy to the Prime Minister, Sharma highlighted concerns over India’s ambitious plans for coal gasification and the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR).

Labour unrest in Manesar trigger tensions: Recently enacted labour codes blamed

By A Representative A civil rights coalition has expressed concern over recent developments in the industrial hub of Manesar in Haryana, where a series of labour actions and police responses have drawn attention. A statement, released by the Campaign Against State Repression (CASR), said it stood in solidarity with workers in IMT Manesar and other parts of the country, while also alleging instances of police excess during ongoing unrest.

Search This Blog