As Orwell once wrote, “In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” In an age where facts travel faster than fiction, the BJP-RSS narrative around the Pahalgam attack is steadily falling apart under global scrutiny. Pakistan has responded with clear counterarguments, and international observers are growing increasingly skeptical. As India’s record of using such incidents for political purposes comes under scrutiny, the truth is beginning to expose efforts to suppress Kashmiri voices and shift focus from domestic troubles.
In December 2020, the BBC exposed a vast 15-year Indian disinformation campaign involving over 750 fake media outlets and defunct organizations used to promote pro-India narratives globally. Even deceased academics were falsely cited to lend credibility. Alexandre Alaphilippe, Executive Director of EU DisinfoLab, stated, “The network was mainly made to make Pakistan look bad in the world and to influence decisions at the UN Human Rights Council and European Parliamen, it was the biggest network we have found.” (BBC, 2020)
Fast forward to May 7, 2025, the Modi-led administration seized upon the tragic April 22 Pahalgam incident, which claimed 28 lives, to advance its familiar narrative. Continuing its pattern of unfounded accusations, India hastily blamed Pakistan, allegations Islamabad has consistently rejected as baseless and politically motivated. Pakistan maintains that India is manipulating such tragedies to deflect attention from internal governance failures and to justify its continued repression in Kashmir.
Islamabad called for a neutral international probe, which India refused, choosing instead unilateral escalation. As tensions flared, cross-border skirmishes erupted, placing innocent lives on both sides at risk. A fragile ceasefire was later brokered by the United States on May 10, 2025, though lasting peace remains elusive.
Since Narendra Modi took office in 2014, relations between India and Pakistan have sharply deteriorated. His leadership has coincided with a rise in military confrontations and controversial laws targeting India’s Muslim minority and Kashmiris, worsening regional instability and societal divisions.
In September 2016, the Uri attack on an Indian army base became another flashpoint. India accused Pakistan and announced “surgical strikes” across the Line of Control. Pakistan denied both the accusations and the occurrence of such strikes, claiming India’s actions were intended to divert attention from unrest in Kashmir. India’s subsequent withdrawal from the SAARC summit in Islamabad followed by other member nations led to its postponement.
Then came the 2019 Pulwama attack in Indian-occupied Kashmir, where 40 Indian soldiers were killed. Without furnishing credible evidence, India again blamed the Pakistan and launched an airstrike in Balakot. In retaliation, the Pakistan Air Force downed an Indian jet and captured pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan, who was respectfully treated and returned as a goodwill gesture aimed at de-escalation.
Adding to the internal critiques, Satya Pal Malik, the then Governor of Indian-administered Kashmir, gave an explosive interview to The Wire, stating, “Narendra Modi is a very ill-informed person.” He claimed the Prime Minister instructed him not to speak about security lapses, revealing that the blame for Pulwama was politically orchestrated to reap electoral gains.
India’s mainstream media has increasingly come under fire for toeing the government line and stoking jingoism. Indian journalist @ravishndtv (Ravish Kumar) exposed fabrications by popular news outlets — a revelation amplified by figures like Hamid Mir. Bollywood actress Sonakshi Sinha also voiced her dismay, stating, “Don’t sensationalize war. People are already worried… stop spreading fear… Find a reliable source and only watch it.”
International platforms like Al Jazeera, BBC, and TRT have all highlighted how Indian media, under the sway of political power, has misled viewers with selective reporting and misinformation. Such distortions often target Muslim-majority areas or link Pakistan to events without due investigation, followed by retaliatory acts that strike civilians or religious institutions. These strategies are now being actively exposed on the global stage.
India’s disinformation tactics and aggressive foreign policy postures are drawing increased scrutiny worldwide. The revelations from EU DisinfoLab’s “Indian Chronicles” revealed a deeply embedded strategy to malign Pakistan internationally through fake NGOs and media platforms operating under false pretenses in Geneva and Brussels.
The handling of the Pahalgam attack further underscores India’s rush to accuse without verification. Despite Pakistan’s calls for impartial inquiry, India refused cooperation instead escalating rhetoric and retaliatory actions that risked sparking wider conflict. As a result, New Delhi’s narrative control is weakening. Nations and global observers are no longer taking Indian claims at face value; instead, they seek transparency, balance, and facts.
Pakistan, despite being targeted by propaganda, continues to demonstrate its commitment to peace and global cooperation. Its contribution to UN peacekeeping missions stands among the highest globally. The AMAN naval exercises, hosted biennially by Pakistan and involving over 60 nations, highlight Islamabad’s active role in fostering collaborative maritime security and promoting stability in a volatile region.
India’s narrative, once echoed unquestioningly in some circles, is now being tested against emerging global awareness. Its propaganda machinery is buckling under growing pressure from journalists, independent observers, and rival narratives based on evidence and truth. As the world grows more attuned to media manipulation and political expediency, India must face the consequences of its own manufactured myths.
“The writer is a research intern at the Kashmir Institute of International Relations KIIR and serves as the President of HEAL Pakistan Organization at Islamic International University Islamabad IIUI, a youth-driven initiative dedicated to fostering humanity, education empowerment, awareness and leadership.”