As outrage grows over the recent militant attack in Pahalgam, a wave of criticism is building within India, with citizens and commentators accusing the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of politicizing national security incidents to serve electoral interests.
Among the most vocal critics is vlogger and social commentator Neha Singh Rathore, who has gained widespread attention for her outspoken views. In her recent vlogs, Rathore accused the BJP of fostering a climate of fear and militarism to distract from pressing domestic issues such as unemployment, inflation, and social discontent—especially ahead of key elections like those upcoming in Bihar.
Rathore’s bold criticism has not gone unnoticed. She now faces a sedition case after publicly questioning the Modi government’s narrative around the Pahalgam attack, a move that has sparked further debate over freedom of expression and political accountability in India.
A Pattern of Crisis and Political Timing
The Pahalgam incident, which left 26 dead and several injured, is being seen by critics as part of a broader pattern of major security lapses that have occurred during BJP-led governments. Notable past incidents include the Kandahar hijacking and Kargil War (1999), the Parliament attack (2001), the Godhra train burning (2002), the Pathankot and Uri attacks (2016), the Amarnath Yatra attack (2017), and the Pulwama bombing (2019).
Analysts note that many of these attacks coincided with sensitive political timelines, such as general or state elections—raising suspicions that national tragedies are being used to consolidate political support through nationalist rhetoric.
Bihar Elections and the Politics of Fear
With the Bihar elections approaching, political observers argue that the BJP may once again be leaning on national security concerns to shape public opinion. Critics claim the party is strategically emphasizing external threats and promoting a war-like narrative to distract from governance shortcomings.
Despite the magnitude of the Pahalgam attack, no senior government official has taken responsibility or stepped down in response to the apparent intelligence and operational failures. Instead, critics say, the focus has shifted to fueling nationalist sentiment rather than addressing the root causes of insecurity.
Neha Singh Rathore’s case is increasingly viewed as a test of democratic space in India, as many question whether dissent and accountability are being silenced in the name of national unity.
