The killing of 26 tourists and injury of many others in Baisaran, near Pahalgam in Kashmir, marks a tragedy beyond words. The Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba's proxy, The Resistance Front, has claimed responsibility for this heinous attack. The terrorists reportedly identified their victims by religion before opening fire. Among those killed was Syed Adil Shah, a local pony handler who worked with tourists.

Humanity Amid Horror

In the immediate aftermath, it was local Muslims who rushed to the scene, rescuing the injured even before helicopters arrived. Muslim doctors provided medical care, and the entire Kashmir Valley observed a bandh in mourning. Cries of “Hindu-Muslim Bhai Bhai” (Hindus and Muslims are brothers) echoed through the region.

At the time, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was visiting Saudi Arabia. Upon return, instead of visiting the site of the attack, he attended an election rally in Bihar and was seen sharing light moments with BJP ally Nitish Kumar. He did not chair an all-party meeting on the incident, leaving the opposition to offer unconditional support on their own initiative—a gesture that should have ideally been led by the ruling party.

This stands in sharp contrast to the PM’s actions during the Godhra train burning in Gujarat, when he reached the site within hours and ordered the charred bodies be brought to Ahmedabad—a move that many believe escalated communal tensions.

Media Spin and Official Blind Spots

Social media was soon flooded with messages highlighting the perpetrators’ religious identity. “They asked the religion first,” became the central theme of hate campaigns targeting Muslims. This fits into an existing pattern—where lynchings over beef consumption, "love jihad" conspiracies, and discrimination in housing and employment based on Muslim names are increasingly normalized.

Mainstream media, often dubbed the ‘Godi media’, amplified the communal angle while completely sidelining critical questions: How did the terrorists breach multiple layers of military security? What were the intelligence agencies doing, especially when some reports suggest prior warnings of an attack?

The situation mirrors the Pulwama attack, where public outrage was whipped up, but crucial lapses in intelligence and security remained unaddressed. In the Pahalgam case too, despite numerous military checkpoints on the way to Baisaran, the attackers managed to infiltrate and carry out a mass killing.

Local Solidarity vs National Apathy

Following the tragedy, local Muslims—including pony handlers, auto-rickshaw drivers, and hotel owners—offered assistance and refused payment from the affected tourists. In stark contrast, airlines hiked their fares to cash in on the crisis. Kashmiri students were harassed in hostels across India, some even forced to leave. Similar hostility was faced by Kashmiris residing in different states.

In response, the Indian government threatened to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, a move the Pakistani leadership warned would amount to an act of war. Tensions continue to simmer.

From Kashmiriyat to Communalism

Terrorism in Kashmir has complex origins. The erosion of the Instrument of Accession—especially after Sheikh Abdullah’s disenchantment—was a turning point. His questioning of whether Kashmir had erred in joining India was rooted not in religion, but in the cultural ethos of Kashmiriyat—a composite identity blending Vedantic, Buddhist, and Sufi traditions.

However, over time, this indigenous resistance was co-opted and militarized by external actors. In the 1990s, inspired by Al-Qaeda’s rise, violent Islamism entered the Valley. The communalization of the movement led to the tragic displacement of Kashmiri Pandits during the tenure of the V.P. Singh government, supported by the BJP. Then-Governor Jagmohan, a pro-BJP figure, reportedly facilitated the exodus, despite local efforts to offer protection to Pandit families.

Failed Policies and Missed Opportunities

Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s vision of “Insaniyat, Kashmiriyat, and Jamhooriyat” (Humanity, Kashmir’s cultural identity, and Democracy) remains one of the most constructive frameworks for resolving the conflict. Unfortunately, democracy in Kashmir has often been undermined, with elections frequently marred by manipulation.

After coming to power, the Modi government initially touted demonetisation as a tool to curb terrorism—a measure that proved ineffective. The subsequent abrogation of Article 370 and the downgrade of Jammu & Kashmir from statehood to Union Territory were marketed as historic solutions. Home Minister Amit Shah declared terrorism had been curbed, encouraging a tourist influx.

Yet, sporadic terrorist attacks—including those targeting Kashmiri Pandits—have continued. Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is no longer part of the region’s security framework. During the last high-level security meeting chaired by Amit Shah, he was not even invited. Law and order in Kashmir is now entirely under central control.

The Road Ahead: Security Through Democracy

Terrorism cannot be fought through centralization and alienation. Disempowering local leadership and repeatedly failing in intelligence and security—as seen in Pulwama and now Pahalgam—are grave concerns. Kashmir, as an integral part of India, must be given the dignity of full democratic participation. Restoring statehood and reviving the democratic process are crucial steps.

Security is vital—not just for the residents but also for the tourists, whose presence sustains the region’s economy. Tourism is Kashmir’s lifeline and must be protected by a coherent, people-sensitive policy.

As the nation stands united with the government, the government, in turn, must engage sincerely with opposition voices. As many have rightly said, war is not a solution; war is a problem.

(The author is a former professor at IIT Bombay and Chairman of the Centre for the Study of Society and Secularism, Mumbai. Views expressed are personal. He can be reached at ram.puniyani@gmail.com. Also available on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Twitter, Pinterest, and his website. )