Double standard: Those who never stood against the separatist ideology and terrorism for decades are now organising protests over the Pahalgam attack; 48 tourist destinations closed, Fake narratives industry active

Double standard: Those who never stood against the separatist ideology and terrorism for decades are now organising protests over the Pahalgam attack; 48 tourist destinations closed, Fake narratives industry active

SALIL RAINA

(POONCH TODAY NEWS)

POONCH: After the Pahalgam terrorist attack that killed 26 tourists,  some Kashmir-based lobbies that never stood against the Pak-backed separatist ideology and terrorism for more than three decades are now organising protests against the unfortunate attack. Meanwhile, the government has closed 48 tourist destinations from a security point of view. Although the common people of Kashmir are showing their concerns over the attack, the biggest question arises about the double standard of some lobbies which remained silent for years against terrorism.

The Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also appreciated the people of J&K for standing against the terror act. Omar said, “I commend the people of Kashmir and Jammu for their extraordinary display of unity, compassion, and resilience in the aftermath of the attack. Peaceful demonstrations across towns and villages, and the spontaneous outpouring of moral and material support towards tourists, reaffirm people’s steadfast commitment to peace, communal harmony, and the rule of law.” However, for more than 35 years, some lobbies known as conflict entrepreneurs never uttered a single word against terrorism and indirectly supported this anti-India war by running their industry successfully. Now they suddenly have become peacemakers as they fear that the government of India will take tough action against Pakistan and the anti-national ecosystem that is operational in J&K. They are now even saying that war is not a solution after PM Modi has given a free hand to the security forces to end terrorism. These are the same lobbies that used to glorify terrorists and forced the Kashmiri Pandits out of the valley. These lobbies imposed their agenda on common Kashmiri as a result, Kashmiris also suffered a lot due to the agenda of this lobby for years. These are the same lobbies that used to threaten the government of India that nobody will give shoulder to tricolor in Kashmir. For decades, they supported those who pelted stones at J&K police personnel, the Indian Army, and paramilitary forces. They were experts in running an anti-India industry for decades. Those who took out a procession after the death of a famous terrorist in 2016 and those who were involved in hawala funding to fuel terrorism were also seen with their double standard to deceive the nation by terming the incident as unfortunate. For decades, these lobbies supported separatism in the valley, and now, fearing a downfall in their bread and butter, which is tourism-related, they have come out with this trick to deceive the nation that Kashmiris are known for their love and brotherhood and are saying that war is not a solution. Why are the people from different corners of the country not allowed to buy land in Kashmir, run a business, and likewise many related things? Where was the Kashmiriyat when target killings of minorities remained a continuous factor for 35 years? Where was the Kashmiriyat when hundreds of security personnel were killed by the terrorists in the valley? Where was the Kashmiriyat when the valley used to glorify terrorists years ago? Where was the Kashmiriyat when they used to celebrate Pakistan’s victory over India in cricket or any other game? Where Was the Kashmiriyat when Hurriyat used to issue hartal calendars for decades, and now, sensing trouble for the future, a number of valley-based media platforms and social media influencers being supported by these lobbies are seen running fake narratives in favor of Kashmir by targeting the national media as ‘Godi media.’ These accidental social media influencers who don’t know the definition of journalism have become self-styled experts who always deceive all with their fake narratives. They never ran stories against Pakistan, against the stone-throwing industry, against terrorists, or against Hurriyat gangs for years, but loved to target those journalists who always stood for the national interest by branding them as ‘Godi media.’ This pro-Kashmir fake narrative industry is very active, as a large number of media platforms and some social media influencers backed by the valley-based lobbies are doing their job perfectly in running fake narratives in favor of these lobbies to present them as true messengers of peace and brotherhood. The nation is well aware of their tactics. Fearing a tough action from the government and anticipating the shutting down of their tourism industry, they have hatched this conspiracy to fool the nation. Had these valley-based lobbies started organizing such protests after the onset of militancy in 1989-90, the situation would have become different now. Look at their double standard. On the one hand, these lobbies silently supported separatist ideology in J&K for thirty-five years, and now, they have started showing themselves as peacemakers by standing against the Pahalgam attack to gain the sympathy of the entire nation with a hidden agenda to attract tourists to earn their bread and butter. It’s a well-planned tactic, but the nation will not be deceived again by their tactics.  However, a few videos on social media indicate involvement of locals which is under the investigations of the security agencies. It’s high time for the government not to fall into this new tactic of traditional valley-based lobbies because it’s nothing else but a pure double standard aimed at protecting their tourism-related bread and butter. If these lobbies  are protesting from their hearts, then the question arises why did they remain silent for thirty-five years and support this anti-India ideology? They have to answer this if they are really peacemakers in reality.