13

Jun

Operation Sindoor Loses Much of Its Sheen

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A person with white hair and glasses AI-generated content may be incorrect.Operation Sindoor, which could have been a lasting symbol of national pride and unity, has unfortunately lost much of its sheen due to clumsy diplomatic handling and our deeply flawed—indeed, at times shameful—culture of political dialogue. Rather than becoming a celebrated moment of collective achievement, it has descended into a cynical debate and a point of sectarian one-upmanship. This is detrimental to our national interest, as it weakens the image of India as a unified nation on the global stage and inadvertently benefits our adversaries.

To begin with, I see nothing wrong with India carrying out strikes on terror hubs across the border in Pakistan. In fact, such action should have been taken much earlier. Terrorists needed to be shown that they cannot attack Indian soil with impunity and expect no consequences. Similarly, I find no fault in the decision to declare a ceasefire once our objective—delivering a strong message to Pakistan—was achieved.

However, the core problem lies with the ruling BJP establishment’s lack of basic decency in political discourse. The way its leaders allowed their anti-Muslim instincts to surface while discussing the operation was deeply regrettable. For instance, labeling Col. Sophia Qureshi as a “sister of terrorists” simply because she is Muslim was not only in poor taste but also profoundly offensive. This undermined the fact that a majority of Muslim organizations and leaders had strongly supported Operation Sindoor. Such rhetoric dampened the spirit of national celebration and did lasting damage to our image as a cohesive, secular nation.

Even more troubling was the BJP’s blatant attempt to appropriate Operation Sindoor for electoral gain. Instead of presenting it as a national achievement and honoring the bravery of our armed forces, it was marketed as a personal victory for Prime Minister Modi and his government. This narrative robbed the country of a moment that should have been owned by all Indians, regardless of political affiliation.

 

Column at a Glance
The article critiques the handling of Operation Sindoor, which aimed to strike terror hubs in Pakistan, arguing that it has devolved into a divisive political debate rather than a moment of national pride. While the author supports the military action and the subsequent ceasefire, they condemn the ruling BJP's use of anti-Muslim rhetoric and attempts to politicize the operation for electoral gain, undermining its collective significance.
Friday Fuss
By Pradeep Mathur
The author emphasizes that the operation should have been celebrated as a national achievement, uniting all Indians, rather than being co-opted by the government. They also suggest that acknowledging international mediation, such as former President Trump's role in the ceasefire, would have been beneficial. Ultimately, the article expresses hope that Operation Sindoor will deter future cross-border terrorism and calls for a reevaluation of outdated doctrines in light of India's current military and economic strength.

The BJP’s continued preference for denial, silence on critical issues, and self-congratulatory propaganda about questionable achievements further contributed to the cynical handling of what should have been a proud national effort.

There would have been no harm if the government had gracefully acknowledged the possible role of former U.S. President Donald Trump in brokering the ceasefire. It is neither unusual nor dishonorable for international actors to intervene in de-escalating tensions between warring nations. Debating whether Trump played a role or not was a pointless distraction. Both the government and the Opposition took unreasonably rigid positions. The Opposition, too, missed the larger picture—our objective was limited to targeting terror infrastructure, not initiating a full-scale war with Pakistan. War serves no one's interest, least of all India’s, which needs to focus on rapid economic development, or Pakistan’s, which is economically too fragile to sustain military conflict.

Contrary to prevailing pessimism, I believe that cross-border terrorism will diminish following Operation Sindoor. As a young journalist in Chandigarh during the 1970s, I closely observed the rise of Sikh terrorism in Punjab. That experience taught me that a terrorist is, at heart, a coward—someone who thrives on the suffering of innocents, often relying on encouragement from ideological or political masters. Their sense of mission is often nothing more than a delusion, sustained by the approval of those in power.

Operation Sindoor has sent a clear message: terrorists operating across the border will no longer be able to commit atrocities without facing serious consequences. The realization that retaliation will follow may well deter future attacks.

The military-political establishment in Pakistan must now choose between two paths: abandoning support for terrorism or risking a full-scale war with India. The Bhutto-era doctrine of bleeding India through a thousand cuts is obsolete. Similarly, the Shimla Accord has outlived its relevance. Given India’s current military and economic strength, we should not shy away from third-party mediation if it can lead to a lasting resolution. Unlike 1972, when powerful nations could pressure us into undesirable compromises—as they did in the Kutch Award dispute—India today is in a position of greater strategic confidence.

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