Blogs

Why Pakistan Must Be Held Responsible for the Current India-Pakistan Conflict

By- Vivek Arya

Once again, the peace between India and Pakistan has been broken — and this time, the reason is serious and painful. On April 22, 2025, a brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, killed 26 innocent Hindu tourists. India says the attackers were trained and sent from across the border — from Pakistan. And sadly, this is not the first time such violence has come from that side.

Pakistan has a long history of using terrorism as a tool against India. Groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba have carried out deadly attacks in India, including the 2001 Parliament attack, the 2008 Mumbai attacks, and Pulwama in 2019. Every time, Pakistan denies involvement, but the world is slowly seeing through its lies.

This time, India responded with strength. Under “Operation Sindoor,” Indian forces struck back at terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. These were not random attacks. They were aimed at those responsible for killing Indian civilians. But instead of accepting responsibility and taking action against these terrorists, Pakistan chose to attack Indian areas using drones and missiles.

It is sad and dangerous that instead of punishing the terrorists, Pakistan is protecting them and increasing the war-like situation. It even shot down Indian fighter jets and targeted civilian areas. This is not the action of a peaceful nation. It is the act of a country that refuses to control its own terror groups and instead allows them to spread fear and bloodshed.

The biggest victims of this conflict are innocent people on both sides of the border. Children, families, and farmers are being forced to leave their homes. Schools are closed. The Indian Premier League had to be suspended. And the fear of a larger war — even a nuclear one — is hanging over the region.

India has shown great patience over the years. It has tried diplomacy many times. It has respected peace agreements. But how long can a nation stay silent when its citizens are being killed again and again?

The international community must open its eyes and see the truth. Pakistan must stop supporting terrorism. It must take action against those who harm peace. And if it continues to provoke India, it must be ready to face the consequences.

Peace is possible — but only when both countries are honest. And right now, Pakistan is not being honest.

09/05/2025

The Rise of Communalism in India
By- Vivek Arya

Communalism means putting one's religion above everything else — even above the unity and harmony of the country. In India, communalism has been a big problem for a long time. It has led to riots, hatred, and division among people of different religions, especially between Hindus and Muslims. Communalism in India grew during British rule. The British followed a "divide and rule" policy. They tried to break the unity of Indians by creating religious divisions. In 1909, they gave separate voting rights to Muslims. Later, in 1932, Dalits were also given separate electorates. These actions made different communities think more about their religious identity than about being Indians. The partition of India in 1947 was one of the biggest results of communalism. India was divided into two nations — India and Pakistan — based mainly on religion. This caused terrible violence between Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs. Lakhs of people were killed, and many had to leave their homes forever. Even after India became independent, communalism didn’t go away. Several riots broke out in places like Ahmedabad, Bhagalpur, Mumbai, and Delhi. Political parties and leaders have sometimes used religion to gain votes, which makes the situation worse. Fake news and hate messages on social media also spread communal feelings nowadays. Communalism is harmful because it divides people who should live together in peace. It weakens our society, democracy, and the idea of unity in diversity. It stops progress and creates fear and mistrust among communities.

What Can Be Done? To fight communalism, we need to: Teach children the value of peace and respect for all religions. Punish those who spread hatred and violence. Encourage people of different religions to live and work together. Stop political use of religion. India is a country of many religions, but we are all Indians first. Our strength lies in our unity, not in our differences. Let us stand together against communalism and work for a peaceful and united India.

The Current State of Media in India: A Critique

The Indian media, often called the fourth pillar of democracy, is facing a crisis that undermines its role in fostering informed public discourse. While India boasts a vibrant media landscape with over 900 TV channels, 20,000 newspapers, and a growing digital presence, its credibility is eroding due to corporate control, political bias, and a focus on sensationalism over substance. This critique explores how these issues challenge Gandhi’s principles of truth and public service, which remain vital for a democratic media.

Corporate and Political Influence: Many media outlets are owned by conglomerates with ties to political parties or corporate interests. For instance, major players like Reliance Industries and Adani Group control significant media assets, raising concerns about editorial independence. The term “Godi media” (lapdog media) has emerged to describe outlets that align with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), often amplifying government narratives while sidelining critical issues like unemployment or minority rights. This contradicts Gandhi’s emphasis on truth (Satya) as a cornerstone of public life, as media houses prioritize profit and power over honest reporting.

Sensationalism Over Substance: The media often focuses on trivial stories—celebrity gossip or divisive debates—while ignoring pressing issues like poverty or climate change. This echoes Gandhi’s warning against distractions that divert attention from real societal needs. During the 2024 elections, coverage leaned heavily on political spectacle, with less focus on policy analysis, leaving voters poorly informed. The rise of “paid news” further erodes trust, as outlets publish biased content for financial gain, betraying Gandhi’s call for integrity.

Censorship and Safety Concerns: India ranks 159th out of 180 in the 2024 World Press Freedom Index, reflecting a decline in media freedom. Journalists face harassment, legal threats, and violence, especially when critiquing the government. Laws like the Digital Personal Data Protection Act grant authorities broad powers to regulate content, chilling free speech. This environment clashes with Gandhi’s nonviolent resistance (Satyagraha), which relied on open dialogue to challenge injustice.

Digital Media and Misinformation: While platforms like YouTube offer space for independent voices, they also spread misinformation and hate speech, often unchecked. Gandhi’s principle of Ahimsa (nonviolence) is violated when media fuels division, such as anti-minority narratives. Mainstream media’s failure to counter these trends deepens public distrust.

A Path Forward: To align with Gandhi’s ideals, the media must prioritize truth, public welfare, and fearless reporting. Independent outlets like The Wire and Newslaundry show promise, but they lack the reach of corporate giants. Strengthening self-regulation, protecting journalists, and promoting media literacy can help restore credibility. Gandhi’s vision of a just society demands a media that informs, not manipulates.

- 30/04/2025

Why Mahatma Gandhi's Ideas Matter Today

Mahatma Gandhi, India’s leader of nonviolent freedom, left ideas that still guide us today. His focus on truth, peace, and simplicity speaks to our world’s problems like fights, inequality, and climate change. In just a few ways, Gandhi’s thoughts show us how to live better now.

Peace Over Violence: Gandhi’s idea of Ahimsa, or nonviolence, means solving problems without hurting others. Today, with wars, protests, and online arguments, his way of talking and understanding each other can calm tensions. Movements like climate marches or equality protests use Gandhi’s peaceful approach to push for change without violence. His ideas teach us to listen and find solutions together.

Simple Living for the Planet: Gandhi lived simply, using only what he needed. He said the Earth can support everyone’s needs, not greed. This fits today’s fight against climate change. By reducing waste, supporting local goods, or using clean energy, we follow Gandhi’s path. His idea of Swadeshi, or self-reliance, inspires things like community gardens or recycling, helping save the planet.

Fairness for All: Gandhi fought for the poor and against unfair treatment, like caste bias. His belief that everyone deserves respect connects to today’s push for equal rights, fair pay, and education for all. His courage to stand up for the weak inspires us to support justice in our communities.

Though Gandhi’s ideas can feel hard to apply in our fast, tech-heavy world, they still work. We can use social media to spread peace or support ethical businesses. Gandhi’s wisdom shows us how to build a kinder, greener, and fairer world with truth and compassion.

-28/04/2025