Nearly a week after the brutal massacre of 26 tourists in Pahalgam, the Modi government’s response has been marked by emotional outrage, promises of justice, and some immediate diplomatic measures against Pakistan. 

Yet, several critical elements remain conspicuously absent from the aftermath, elements that are essential not only for justice and accountability but also for restoring public confidence, safeguarding national unity, and preventing future disaster. 

Here is a breakdown of what’s missing from the Modi government so far:

Transparent, Evidence-Based Delineation of Pakistan’s Role

While Indian authorities and security experts have pointed to Pakistan-based groups – specifically The Resistance Front, a Lashkar-e-Tayyaba proxy – as responsible for the attack, the government has not yet presented clear, public evidence linking Pakistan’s state apparatus directly to the operation.

Pakistan has denied involvement, even calling for international investigations, while some of its ministers have made contradictory and self-incriminating statements.

However, a detailed, evidence-backed public briefing, which is crucial for international credibility and domestic consensus, is still missing from the Modi government.

Independent accounting of intelligence and security lapses

The government has admitted to "security lapses" in a closed-door all-party meeting and acknowledged that local authorities opened the Baisaran area without proper security clearance. The latter has been reported to be a misleading claim, meant to deflect the responsibility from the security setup run by J&K LG Manoj Sinha and Union home minister Amit Shah.

However, there has been no independent or public-facing inquiry into how a heavily guarded, tourist-frequented area was left vulnerable, nor any release of findings on intelligence failures or gaps in the three-tier security system.

Without such transparency, accountability remains elusive and lessons cannot be learned to prevent future tragedies.

Focusing on Kashmiris, Not Just Kashmir

The government’s narrative has focused on external enemies and the need for retribution. What is missing is an honest reckoning with the limitations of the current Kashmir policy rooted in Hindutva ideology, which has prioritised territorial control and security over dialogue and engagement with the Kashmiri people.

The attack, and the spontaneous solidarity shown by locals in its aftermath, underscores the need for a policy that is about Kashmiris, and not just about Kashmir as a territory. Acknowledging this, an anathema to the Modi government so far, is essential for long-term peace.

A Move to Protect Kashmiris

Relatedly, the government must communicate clearly that Kashmiris living and studying across India are not fair game for finger-pointing by the overzealous and that it remains committed to protecting their safety too.

Reports and comments on social media have highlighted attacks and threats that Kashmiris, especially students, have been facing across India. The government must take a stand against this.

Political Accountability

The Pahalgam killings demand political accountability from Modi and Shah because, since the revocation of J&K’s special status, all security matters have been centralised under their direct authority, making them ultimately responsible for the region’s safety and any lapses therein.

Despite repeated claims of restoring normalcy and enhanced security, this attack exposes significant failures in intelligence and policy, underscoring the need for leaders to answer for these shortcomings rather than deflect blame or stifle dissent. In a democracy, those in power must face scrutiny and consequences when their promises of security and stability are so gravely breached, and the buck must stop with the highest authority.

A Clear, Strategic Roadmap for Dealing with Pakistan

India’s immediate response has included suspending the Indus Water Treaty, closing visa services, and promising a "harshest response". Yet, there is no articulation of a long-term, strategic policy toward Pakistan that goes beyond punitive or symbolic measures.

Without a strategic aim, retaliatory strikes or diplomatic downgrades risk becoming rhetorically performative rather than strategically effective. A clear doctrine that combines deterrence, international diplomacy and internal security is missing from the Modi government.

Direct, On-Record Communication from Top Leadership

Modi and Amit Shah have made statements and paid respects to victims, but there has been no detailed, interactive press conference addressing the nation’s questions, outlining the government’s findings, or taking responsibility.

Modi has not held a press conference in India since becoming the prime minister and despite such a press conference being vital for transparency, reassurance, and countering misinformation after Pahalgam, it is unlikely that he will engage like a democratic leader.

A Special Parliamentary Session for National Unity and Accountability

While high-level meetings have taken place and opposition parties have expressed support for government actions, there has been no independent, public forum, such as a special parliamentary debate, where political leaders in the government are held to account, and hard questions can be asked and answered transparently.

This would allow for bipartisan scrutiny, collective mourning, and a unified national stance. It is also essential for democratic accountability and for restoring public faith in democratic governance. As of now, the Modi government has not committed to such a session.

Sanity and Perspective in Big, Corporate-Owned Media

Much of the coverage in India’s corporate-owned big media has been shrill, polarised and sensationalist, amplifying communal narratives or focusing on blame games that target the opposition parties and shield the Modi government. There is a lack of sober, fact-based and perspective-driven reporting that can speak truth to power, help the public understand the complexity of the situation, and prevent further polarisation.

Rejection of Anti-Muslim Hatred

Perhaps most dangerously, there is insufficient recognition in the official discourse that anti-Muslim rhetoric and violence in India serve the very objectives of the terrorists, who sought to divide Indian society along religious lines. Even if one of the axes of justification for the killings in Pahalgam was religion, the answer must not be passing the collective blame on Indian Muslims and demonising them. Instead, reaffirming India’s secular ethos is critical to defeating the logic of terror and preventing the validation of the two-nation theory.

A week after the Pahalgam massacre, the Modi government’s response has been high on emotional rhetoric but lacks transparency, accountability and a unifying strategic vision. 

What is missing is not just tougher action, but honest introspection, strategic clarity and a reaffirmation of the values that make India resilient: democracy, secularism and unity in diversity. Only by addressing these gaps can India honour the victims.

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