DIRECTOR General ISPR Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has very rightly highlighted the sorry state of affairs within India during his recent interview with a German news outlet.
His observations carried weight and clarity, drawing attention to the dangers that India’s extremist trajectory poses not only for the region but also for its own citizens.
The DG ISPR pointed out that India and its state institutions, including the Indian Army, are increasingly being influenced by extremist political ideologies. He specifically mentioned the rise of the Hindutva mentality and the “irrationality, strategic arrogance and hubristic attitude” that has gripped India. This, he cautioned, is unsustainable and demands international attention. His warning is significant, for it underscores that such extremism jeopardizes regional peace and stability while simultaneously putting minorities inside India in a dire situation. The plight of Indian Muslims is a glaring example. They are being systematically deprived of their fundamental rights — from facing mob lynchings in the name of cow vigilantism, to restrictions on religious practices, the closure of mosques and bans on headscarves for young girls. Discriminatory citizenship laws have further deepened the sense of exclusion. What is unfolding in India today is not the promise of democracy but the persecution of communities who once trusted in its secular fabric. The DG ISPR also made it clear that what Pakistan has faced for years is not an insurgency but outright terrorism sponsored by India. This distinction is critical because it exposes New Delhi’s duplicity — presenting itself as a victim of terrorism abroad while exporting terror into Pakistan. The world must take this reality into account if it truly seeks peace in South Asia. It is vital that we continue to expose the Indian extremist policies at every international forum. But it is equally the responsibility of global powers to stop turning their backs on India’s poor human rights record. Silence in the face of such violations amounts to complicity. India must be held accountable for its treatment of minorities and for destabilizing actions beyond its borders. At the same time, saner voices within Indian society must rise above fear and opportunism. Remaining silent or becoming part of “Godi Modi’s” chorus only strengthens extremism. Speaking truth may yet offer a chance to steer India back from this dangerous path — one that threatens not only its neighbours but its own social fabric.
