New Delhi: Veteran journalist Jaishankar Gupta 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. This is not Kashmiriyat. Our economy runs on tourism,’” he recounted.
Gupta pointed out how these powerful and heartwarming gestures were largely blacked out by national media, which instead focused on whether the victims were Hindu or Muslim, if they were circumcised, or if someone informed the Prime Minister.
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. “After Pulwama, the PM promised to stop Pakistan’s Indus water share. What happened next? Why not ask business tycoons like Adani or Jindal to stop power supply to Pakistan?”
Further exposing trade double standards, Gupta asked, “Why close Attari-Wagah for common people, stop visas, but keep Gujarat ports open for business with Pakistan?”
He emphasized that the media alone isn’t to blame for communal disharmony. “Politicians, judiciary, religious bodies, civil society—all are responsible. But the media plays a powerful role.”
Recounting his early days in journalism, Gupta said editors once insisted on finding the root cause of riots rather than blaming communities. “We were told never to name victims by religion. Today’s media thrives on labeling.”
Gupta highlighted how the heroism of Syed Adil Hussain Shah—who tried to fight off the attackers and died protecting tourists—was ignored. “Thirty years ago, the headline would’ve been ‘Insaniyat Zinda Hai.’ Now, such stories are cut mid-interview.”
He also condemned the Prime Minister’s failure to call an all-party meeting, noting that he was instead busy with election rallies during a time of national mourning.
Gupta warned that the media’s obsession with communalism is distracting the nation from pressing issues like the economy, floods, and unemployment. “TV debates are stuck on Hindu-Muslim. Real problems have no space.”
Recalling how fake videos from Afghanistan were used during the Muzaffarnagar riots, Gupta said the pattern of spreading unverified hate-driven content continues.
He concluded with a sarcastic comparison to Iceland’s media, where a newsreader undressing on air distracted viewers from a collapsing economy. “We’re heading the same way—blinded by noise while the nation sinks.”
