Veteran journalist JaishankarGupta has strongly criticised the Indian national media for distorting the narrative around the recent Pahalgam terror attack by pushing communal angles, while ignoring the courage and humanity shown by local Kashmiris who risked their lives to save tourists.
Speaking at a lecture on “The Role of Media in Promoting Communal Harmony” at the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind headquarters in New Delhi on April 26, Gupta recalled a live TV interview of two survivors. “They said locals shouted, ‘Don’t go back to the hotel. Come home with us. We’ll protect you, even die for you,’” he recounted.
Gupta pointed out how these powerful and heart-warming gestures were largely blacked out by national media, which instead focused on whether the victims were Hindu or Muslim, if they were circumcised….
He questioned the lack of security arrangements despite the area’s prior history, especially noting that a BJP MP had recently celebrated his anniversary at Baisaran Valley under tight security, yet there was no police presence when 2,000 tourists visited.
Drawing parallels to the past, Gupta said, “Just like the 2000 Chittisinghpura massacre during President Clinton’s visit, this attack also happened during a high-profile foreign visit – this time by U.S. Vice President JD Vance.”
He also slammed the media for failing to follow up on government claims post-Pulwama.
[Read more on Radiancenews.com]