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Indian Express
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
How disinformation affects the communal fabric of South Asia
As global currents of polarisation — from immigration tensions to communal conflicts — sweep the world, South Asia is no exception. The Pahalgam attack, where terrorists forced the tourists to reveal their religion before pulling the trigger, wasn't just a blow to Kashmir. It was a calculated strike on South Asia's fragile communal harmony and trust. Added to this was hate and disinformation that was spread through social media. In a time scarred by communal division, gestures of unity can be healing. At a press conference held by the Ministry of Defence of the Government of India, where Sikh, Muslim, and Hindu officers — Commodore Raghu R Nair, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, and Colonel Sofia Qureshi — stood shoulder to shoulder to brief the press, there was a fleeting glimpse of a pluralist nation that stands against any communal onslaught. Meanwhile, Mohammad Zubair of Alt News, a fact-checker, earned rare acclaim for dismantling disinformation on X, a small victory for truth in a fractured public square. But social media platforms erupted with toxic lies, smearing minorities as disloyal, while TV anchors turned newsrooms into battlegrounds, peddling falsehoods. Unverified claims of Indian strikes on Islamabad and Karachi made headlines. In Pakistan, Hindu minorities faced a raw deal. Just a week before the Pahalgam attack, Pakistan Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir declared, 'We differ from Hindus in every way'. The blunt Hindu-Muslim divide, articulated days before the attack, obliterated Pakistan's claims of restraint and any hope for diplomacy. Disinformation permeated press briefings. Media intensified falsehoods with concocted footage of Pakistani strikes on Delhi's airport, while the Deputy Prime Minister stoked national fervour for the air force, wielding a falsified Daily Telegraph clipping. Bangladesh, with 13 million Hindus, sidestepped the recent conflagration but could not escape its tremors. The interim government stayed neutral, yet public opinion leaned toward Pakistan, as per a few reports of The Diplomat. Also Read | In Trump vs Harvard, America is diminished It is a meticulously crafted crucible, designed to render every minority an alien in their own land. Disinformation surged to alarming extremes. Quite visible are the recycled Gaza explosions passed off as Indian strikes or video game clips and ARMA 3, floated as Pakistani military success, racking up millions of views on X before fact-checkers called them out. Algorithms, indifferent to truth, amplified engagement to turn smartphones into conduits of hate, silencing voices of peace. How to contain such a spread of disinformation? First, governments must cease tolerating a disinformation ecosystem that festers unchecked. Censoring media and imprisoning journalists only deepens public mistrust, while social media accounts spreading lies during conflict must cease their operation. Media literacy initiatives must lead the charge, equipping civil society with the tools to sharpen digital discernment. Second, countries need to protect the vulnerable. It would be beneficial to form task forces that would only track disinformation. The Pahalgam attack exposed how terror, hate, and disinformation can push South Asia's vibrant diversity into tatters. With nearly 220 million Hindu and Muslim minorities across three countries and a history of bad blood, South Asia cannot afford any communal flare-up through disinformation. The writer is a German Chancellor Fellow at the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, based in Berlin
India.com
11-05-2025
- Politics
- India.com
India-Pakistan Tension Morning Brief: India's Massive Retaliation, Ceasefire, Drone Attack & More
India-Pakistan Conflict: After three days of major escalation between India and Pakistan, the two countries reached a ceasefire understanding to halt all military action on land, air and sea. While India said that the understanding was reached only due to the talks between the Director Generals of Military Operations of both sides, the United States said that it brokered the peace after 48 hours of discussion. Pakistan also thanked America for its support. However, the current trends say there is no end to the hostilities as border areas remain on alert. With this, India's Operation Sindoor came to a halt but did not conclude as the trust deficit with Pakistan remains. 10 Key points: India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire understanding, with New Delhi saying it was initiated by Pakistan. India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that Pakistan's DGMO called the Indian counterpart requesting a ceasefire, and India agreed to the demand. India said that despite the ceasefire understanding, the Indus Water Treaty and visas remain in abeyance. India also revised its policy, stating that any terrorist incident in India will be treated as an Act of War and will be responded to by military action. The Indian Army said that it remains in alert mode to counter any Pakistani misadventure. Soon after the ceasefire, the Pakistani army started violating the ceasefire in the areas of Akhnoor and Rajouri, while Pakistani drones were spotted in Srinagar and other areas. "While we will be adhering to the understanding that is the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force, we remain fully prepared and vigilant and committed to defending the sovereignty and integrity of the motherland. Every misadventure by Pakistan has been met with strength. Every future escalation will invite a decisive response. We remain fully operationally ready to launch whatever operations may be required in defence of the nation," said Commodore Raghu R Nair. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. "Pakistan believes this marks a new beginning in the resolution of issues that have plagued the region and prevented its journey toward peace, prosperity and stability," said Sharif. Nations like Turkiye, China, United States, EU, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Azerbaijan welcomed the ceasefire and urged India and Pakistan to resolve the differences by talks. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also welcomes the ceasefire. "Secretary-General welcomes the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan as a positive step toward ending current hostilities and easing tensions. He hopes the agreement will contribute to lasting peace and foster and environment conducive to addressing broader, longstanding issues between the two countries," said a UN statement. This is a developing story.
Hindustan Times
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
India's chilling warning to Pakistan after ceasefire: ‘We are fully ready and alert'
After the India-Pakistan ceasefire, top military officials-Commodore Raghu R Nair, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, and Colonel Sofiya Qureshi-set the record straight. They exposed Pakistan's false claims about S-400, BrahMos, and airfield damage, reaffirmed India's secular values, and clarified that only terrorist targets were hit. India's armed forces remain vigilant and ready for any threat, even as both nations halt hostilities on land, sea, and air. Watch the full briefing.
News18
10-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
'Any Further Escalation Will Be...': India's Big Message To Pakistan After Ceasefire
Last Updated: India and Pakistan have agreed to a 'full and immediate' ceasefire, announced U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday, crediting the breakthrough to U.S.-mediated negotiations. In a strong message to Pakistan following the ceasefire, India has made it clear that any further provocation will be met with a 'firm and decisive response". Emphasizing the country's military readiness, Commodore Raghu R Nair stated that while India remains committed to the understanding reached, the armed forces are fully prepared to defend the nation's sovereignty and integrity. Watch: Commodore Raghu R Nair says, 'In conclusion, let me reiterate that while we will adhere to the understanding reached today, the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force remain fully prepared, ever vigilant and committed to defending the sovereignty and integrity of the motherland.… — IANS (@ians_india) May 10, 2025 'Every misadventure by Pakistan has been met with strength, and any future escalation will be met with a decisive response," he said. During a press conference, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said: 'The Director General of Military Operations of Pakistan called the Director General of Military Operations of India at 1535 hours IST earlier today." 'It was agreed between them that both sides would stop all firing and military action on land and in the air and sea with effect from 1700 hours Indian Standard Time today. Instructions have been given on both sides to give effect to the understanding. The Director Generals of Military Operations will talk again on the 12th of May at 1200 hours," he added. India and Pakistan have agreed to a 'full and immediate" ceasefire, announced US President Donald Trump on Saturday. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Shehbaz Sharif for their 'wisdom, prudence, and statesmanship in choosing the path of peace." The development followed a tense period during which both nations exchanged fire, targeting each other's military installations and significantly heightening tensions. 'After a long night of talks mediated by the United States, I am pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a FULL AND IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE," President Trump posted on Truth Social. 'Congratulations to both Countries on using Common Sense and Great Intelligence. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" he added. Trump's statement followed diplomatic conversations held by Secretary Rubio with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and Pakistan Army chief General Asim Munir. First Published: May 10, 2025, 20:39 IST
Mint
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Mint
No religious sites were targeted by Indian Armed Forces: India debunks Pakistan's misinformation
With India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Saturday confirmed about the de-escalation between India and Pakistan days after tensions, Commodore Raghu R Nair in a special briefing by Defence Ministry on Operation Sindoor said that Army rejects claim of damaging mosques as India is a secular nation. Commodore Raghu R Nair made it clear that India is fully prepared and vigilant and committed to defending the sovereignty and integrity of the motherland. He added every misadventure by Pakistan has been met with strength and every future escalation will invite a decisive response. Catch all the India-Pakistan de-escalation related LIVE reports HERE. 'While we will be adhering to the understanding that is the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force, we remain fully prepared and vigilant and committed to defending the sovereignty and integrity of the motherland. Every misadventure by Pakistan has been met with strength. Every future escalation will invite a decisive response. We remain fully operationally ready to launch whatever operations may be required in defence of the nation' India quashes Pakistan's claims of attacking religious sites: Briefing the media just after the de-escalation announcement, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh quashed Pakistan's claims that Indian Armed Forces have targeted mosques. Also Read | India inflicted heavy damage on Pakistan Army, says Colonel Sofiya Qureshi She said, 'Pakistan has been spreading fabricated allegations that Indian Armed Forces have targeted mosques. Let us make this very clear that India is secular nation, and the Indian Armed Forces are a reflection of our constitutional values. We hold every place of worship of all faiths in the highest regard. Our operations have been aimed exclusively at terrorists camps and facilities being used for anti-India activities. No religious sites have been targeted by Indian Armed Forces.' Apart from this, she also added that Pakistani air bases in Skardu, Jacobabad and Bholari suffered extensive damage. She said, 'There has been an extensive damage to the crucial Pakistani air bases- Skardu, Jacobabad and Bholari. In addition, a loss of AD weapon system and radar made the defence of Pakistani airspace untenable...' No S400 and Brahmos missile base damaged: Among others, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi also debunked Pakistan's claims of damaging S400 and Brahmos missile base with its JF 17. Calling it fake, she said, 'Pakistan claimed that it damaged our S400 and Brahmos missile base with its JF 17, which is completely wrong. Secondly, it also ran a misinformation campaign that our airfields in Sirsa, Jammu, Pathankot, Bhatinda, Nalia and Bhuj were damaged, and its misinformation is also completely wrong. Thirdly, according to Pakistan's misinformation campaign, our ammunition depot in Chandigarh and Vyas was damaged, which is also completely wrong. Pakistan made false allegations that Indian Army damaged mosques. I want to make it very clear that India is a secular nation and our army is a very beautiful reflection of the constitutional value of India.' Earlier Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, while briefing the press, said that India and Pakistan to stop firing and military action from 5 pm IST on land and in the air and sea. He added that the Indian DGMO and Pakistan's DGMO to talk again on 12 May at 12 pm.
