United in grief, divided by design: The politics of hate after Pahalgam

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat* 

The tragedy in Pahalgam has once again laid bare two faces of India. One—of ordinary citizens who responded to the terror attack with unity, empathy, and dignity. And the other—of a shrill media ecosystem and political agents who sought to capitalize on the tragedy to deepen communal divisions.

In the wake of the #PahalgamTerrorAttack, Indians rose above religious and ideological lines to unequivocally condemn violence. This show of unity is our nation’s true strength. But as citizens displayed restraint and solidarity, prime-time propagandists and their ilk intensified efforts to derail peace and provoke polarisation. Some even fantasized that the Prime Minister would retaliate militarily against Pakistan. Instead, what they got was the announcement of a caste census—a move they vehemently opposed. Their disappointment was palpable.

Is this the beginning of #Mandal2, as many suggest? Possibly. While this move might appear to some as mere headline management, it does carry significant social potential. The key difference lies in sincerity. When V.P. Singh initiated the original Mandal process in 1990, the commitment was clear and uncompromising. Today, despite the promise, we remain uncertain about the intent and direction. Regardless, it’s a step worth watching closely.

Caste realignments are inevitable. Indian politics has long relied on calculated coalitions of jaatis. Despite attempts to club them into broader categories, politicians remain adept at micro-targeting based on caste interests. Yet, sadly, our public discourse lacks genuine intellectual leadership. Too often, those labeled as intellectuals serve as mere mouthpieces for their caste-based political patrons.

On the geopolitical front, the government finds rare unanimity. There is little room to maneuver aggressively when global powers like the U.S. and Russia oppose any escalation between India and Pakistan. No matter how loud the “bhakts” cry for war, military actions—if any—will be dictated by strategic reasoning, not jingoistic fervor. Thankfully, our military leadership, unlike some retired loudmouths on TV panels, is grounded in pragmatism. Soldiers understand the price of conflict and, more importantly, the value of peace—especially those living near border regions.

One moment that truly stood out in these grim times was the dignified response of Himanshi Narwal, wife of Navy officer Vinay Narwal, who was martyred in the Pahalgam attack. She urged against hatred and stood for humanity—even while enduring unimaginable personal loss. It takes profound courage to speak for peace when consumed by grief. Her voice is the conscience of our nation.

Meanwhile, the incident in Muzaffarnagar, where farmer leader Rakesh Tikait was heckled, is a stark reminder of how reasoned voices are being undermined by hate-fueled mobs. Farmers and jawans have displayed more composure and integrity than many in power.

We must reject the cynical political games played in the name of national security. Our military must be trusted to do its job, away from media noise and political interference.

And what of communal hate-mongering? Consider the courage of Sangeeta Negi from Uttarakhand, who spoke out against collective punishment of Muslims after an incident in Nainital. For her stand, she now faces rape threats. Where were these self-proclaimed moral crusaders when Ankita Bhandari was murdered and the accused was linked to a powerful BJP leader? The same silence prevailed then. Our moral outrage remains disturbingly selective.

Even the media’s treatment of gender-based violence, from Nirbhaya to the present, remains shaped by entrenched Brahmanical patriarchy. When films on reformers like Jyotiba Phule are met with resistance, it only reaffirms how deep our caste biases still run.

A truly strong and powerful India will emerge not from divisions, but from collective condemnation of all violence—be it terror, caste violence, communal riots, or gender-based crimes. Nationalism cannot be a tool for silencing dissent or for shielding those aligned with power.

Let our armed forces do their duty, and let citizens rise above sectarian noise. The time has come to defend India not just with weapons, but with empathy, dignity, and justice for all.

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*Human rights defender