Pahalgam: Indian blame game and ground realities
The tragic killing of innocent tourists in Baisaran, Pahalgam on April 22 has understandably sparked grief, outrage, and a flurry of accusations. Yet before succumbing to the blame game — particularly the one targeting Pakistan - it is crucial to step back and examine the broader context and implications of such violence.
History offers a cautionary tale. Former President Bill Clinton, in an introduction to Madeleine Albright's book, The Mighty and the Almighty: Reflections on America, God, and World Affairs, recounts an incident during a visit to India in 2000. Hindu militants murdered 38 Sikhs in cold blood. Clinton stated, "If I had not made the trip because I feared what militants might do, I could not have fulfilled my responsibilities as President of the United States."
A Telegraph India article from June 2006, by Charu Sudan Kasturi, includes an excerpt that references the Chattisinghpora, Anantnag massacre in March 2000, which resulted in the deaths of 35 Sikhs.
Initially, security forces attributed the incident to Pakistan-based terrorists and executed five alleged perpetrators. However, local villagers asserted that these individuals were innocent civilians, compelling the state government to initiate an investigation.
A three-member investigation team established in 2002 by Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed eventually uncovered that three police officers and two........
© The Express Tribune
