C. Pradeep Kumar
At a time when the nation is mourning the brutal killing of 28 innocent pilgrims in Kashmir, gunned down in cold blood after being asked about their religion, it is nothing short of disgraceful to witness sections of the political opposition mocking our defence forces and the democratically elected government.
The image of toy Rafale jets strung with lemons and chillies isn’t satire. It’s an insult. A crude attempt to undermine the professionalism of our armed forces and cast doubt on their intent and preparedness, all to score petty political points. This isn’t dissent. It’s deliberate demoralization.
While our soldiers stand vigil at hostile borders and the government weighs a strategic response to state-sponsored terrorism, such stunts weaken India’s position, both at home and on the global stage. These are not harmless jabs. They are reckless provocations that could potentially invite action under IPC Sections 124A, 153, and 505, which deal with sedition, promoting enmity, and incitement through inflammatory statements.
A mature democracy demands a responsible opposition. But responsibility doesn’t mean pushing the government to act rashly, nor does it mean normalizing terror by calling for ‘dialogue’ when innocent blood has just been spilled.
In the aftermath of the massacre, where victims were singled out for their faith, some self-styled public intellectuals dared to ask, “Do terrorists even check religion before killing?” Perhaps they should examine the victims’ profiles or spare a glance at the heartbreaking images before mouthing such brazen lies.
India doesn’t need to mimic any other nation blindly, but it must learn from global precedents. When Hamas launched rockets into Israel, the Israeli response wasn’t symbolic. It was swift, precise, and unapologetic—not for revenge, but to re-establish deterrence and defend its citizens.
Why, then, is India expected to behave like a punching bag? Is strategic restraint to be mistaken for weakness? Are our armed forces to be mocked for discipline instead of being hailed for professionalism?
Those who fail to distinguish between strategic patience and cowardice, between calibrated deterrence and appeasement, have no business sermonizing a sovereign government or ridiculing its military resolve.
India stands at an inflection point. We must ask: Are we a nation that rewards mockery, shields defamers, and demoralizes our soldiers through political sarcasm? Or are we a nation that rallies in the face of terror, backs its elected government, and stands shoulder to shoulder with its armed forces?
Let there be no ambiguity: Freedom of expression does not give license to demoralize the nation.
Those who cross that line must be held to account.
