13 Jun. 24: In a recent episode of The Samosa Caucus Podcast, Indian right-wing commentator Anand Ranganathan suggested an “Israel-like solution” for Kashmir, sparking significant controversy. The discussion, hosted by Smita Prakash, included panelists Abhijit Iyer-Mitra, political analyst Tehseen Poonawalla and ORF senior fellow Sushant Sareen.
Ranganathan argued that Israel’s approach to its own territorial conflicts should be a model for India in handling Kashmir. “You need an Israel-like solution to Kashmir,” he said, suggesting that India’s failure to act decisively has led to prolonged conflict. He emphasized that Israel has taken measures to protect its citizens, implying that India should adopt a similar strategy.
This rhetoric is not unprecedented among Hindu nationalists. In 2019, a former Indian envoy to New York City also proposed adopting Israel’s settler model in Kashmir. These comparisons draw significant criticism due to the human rights violations associated with Israel’s policies.
Ranganathan, known for his Islamophobic remarks, continued by linking the issue to demographic concerns, echoing Abhijit Iyer-Mitra’s earlier comments on Kashmir’s “fertility rates.” Iyer-Mitra had stated, “The fertility rates [in Kashmir] cannot support an insurgency,” reflecting a broader narrative that views Muslims as demographic threats.
The call for adopting tactics criticized internationally for their severity underscores the extreme nature of the solutions proposed by some right-wing commentators in India. The discourse highlights the deeply rooted ideological stances driving the conversation around Kashmir and raises concerns over the potential implications for human rights and regional stability.
