IN the context of Indian politics, especially during elections, Pakistan has been portrayed as a convenient target for criticism to divert attention from domestic issues. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other politicians have occasionally used Pakistan-related bombast to appeal to nationalist sentiments. Although the discussion around Pakistan often surfaces during Indian elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has taken the rhetoric to unprecedented heights. Currently, India is undergoing general elections where the present incumbent in the Prime Minister’s office—Narendra Modi—who is seeking a third term, has upped the ante but his favourite whipping boy remains Pakistan. Modi targets Pakistan vehemently, using threats, chauvinistic slogans and jingoistic intimidations.
Islamabad has strongly urged Indian politicians to refrain from involving Pakistan in their domestic politics for electoral gains and to handle sensitive strategic matters with utmost care. Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson—Mumtaz Zahra Baloch—in a press briefing, emphasized that the international community should take note of India’s belligerent rhetoric, which poses a significant threat to regional peace and stability.
Amidst the ongoing Lok Sabha election campaign, there has been an alarming surge in anti-Pakistan statements from various Indian leaders. Pakistan outrightly rejects these irresponsible remarks, covering topics such as the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, counter-terrorism efforts, bilateral relations, and nuclear capabilities. The spokesperson expressed concern that these statements reflect an unhealthy obsession with Pakistan and an intent to exploit hyper-nationalism for electoral gains. Furthermore, the bravado and jingoism exhibited by Indian leaders raise questions about India’s responsible stewardship of its strategic capability. In contrast, Pakistan’s strategic capability aims to safeguard sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Notably, Pakistan recently exposed details of India’s campaign of extrajudicial and transnational assassinations on Pakistan soil, and India’s readiness for aggressive actions within Pakistan, which implies a tacit admission of guilt. India’s response to Pakistan’s advice has varied. Some politicians have acknowledged the call to avoid dragging Pakistan into domestic politics, while others continue to engage in rhetoric related to Pakistan during elections. Overall, it remains a topic of debate, and different parties and leaders have different stances on this issue.
Readers may recall that on the eve of the general elections in 2019, Narendra Modi launched a false flag operation on its own troops’ convoy in Pulwama. Blaming Pakistan for the assault, Indian Air Force fighter aircraft carried out a surgical strike on a fictitious terrorist training camp in Balakot, causing no damage. Pakistan retaliated the very next morning in which two Indian Fighter aircraft were shot down. The wreckage of one fell in Pakistani territory and its pilot was captured alive. Modi falsely claimed 350 jihadists to have been killed and an F-16 fighter aircraft of Pakistan Air Force having been shot down by the same pilot who was captured by Pakistan. Gullible Indian masses swallowed Modi’s lies and voted for him and his extremist political party.
Post elections, an emboldened Modi annulled Articles 370 and 35-A of the Indian Constitution, which gave autonomy to Indian Occupied Kashmir and amalgamated Kashmir and Ladakh into the Indian Territory. He also introduced two controversial legislations: the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC). The CAA, enacted on December 11, 2019, amends India’s Citizenship Act of 1955. It provides a path to citizenship for specific types of illegal immigrants based on their religion and country of origin, Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Jains, Parsis and Sikhs and who migrated from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, or Pakistan to India before 2014 are no longer considered illegal immigrants. They can more readily achieve Indian citizenship; the list excludes Muslims and Jews.
The NRC is a database designed to identify legal Indian residents. It aims to create a comprehensive list of Indian citizens by verifying their citizenship through documentation. While the NRC itself does not exclude anyone based on religion, there is concern that, in practice, Muslims have been left out, rendering them stateless even if they have been long-term residents in India. The enactment of the two laws led to protests even by Hindus. This time around, in the elections 2024, Modi is playing according to a different strategy to ensure his victory at the polls. Not only is Pakistan being bashed openly but protest rallies are being launched in Azad Jammu and Kashmir through Indian agents and the agitation is being provoked with protesters in Pakistan-administered Kashmir demonstrating against rising prices of flour and electricity. The protests began in May 2023 in the town of Rawalakot, the headquarters of Poonch District. Initially, a few sit-in protesters raised their voices, but soon a boycott of electricity bills spread across most areas of Azad Kashmir.
Clashes between police and protesters intensified in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) led a protest convoy marching towards Muzaffarabad on May 11. Their demands included subsidised flour and electricity. However, on May 13, Islamabad approved a 23-billion-rupee ($82 million) subsidy program, significantly reducing the price of wheat and flour. Despite this decision, the protests continued, with three people killed during clashes with paramilitary forces. The situation remains tense and mobile internet services have been partially suspended in some regions.
Fishing in troubled waters, Modi and his goons have blackballed Pakistan for maltreating the residents of Azad Kashmir and once again reiterating its claim on the entire Valley of Kashmir. Modi’s agenda for criticism, besides the Kashmir Conflict, includes: Cross-Border Terrorism, where India accuses Pakistan of supporting and harbouring terrorist groups that operate in India-occupied Kashmir. He also carries deep-rooted mistrust towards Pakistan. Criticizing Pakistan can resonate with his domestic audience and reinforce a sense of national pride. India seeks to enhance its global standing and regional influence. By taking a tough stance against Pakistan, Modi’s government aims to assert India’s position as a major player in South Asia. The writing on the wall is that Modi will get a third term to lead the government but this will spell trouble for the region in general and Indian Muslims in particular.
—The writer, Retired Group Captain of PAF, is author of several books on China.
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