The comparison between India’s control over Kashmir and Israel’s occupation of Palestine has long been made by academics and activists. Now, prominent Indian figures are invoking the connection themselves.
Following an attack on tourists in Indian-controlled Kashmir, there have been widespread calls for an “Israel-like” retaliation by law enforcement, high-profile commentators, and members of the public.
As the Indian response unfolds, experts warned to Middle East Eye that the implementation of the “Israel playbook” will create impunity around the state’s treatment of Kashmiris.
On Tuesday, gunmen opened fire on a group of tourists near central Pahalgam, killing at least 26 tourists, primarily from India. While media footage and eyewitness accounts from the incident have captured the role of Kashmiri locals in protecting tourists immediately after the attack, many members of the Indian public have called for a vengeful response against both Kashmiris and Muslims, referencing Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza, in which over 51,000 Palestinians have been killed.
Yes, let’s do the thing we just saw another group try (with far more advanced technology and the full support of a superpower, against a weaker opponent) and fail at, not to mention the humanitarian cost.
Or, you know, we could recognise the National Conference as the elected government of J&K, and listen to them. They don’t like the terrorists either, and they actually have public support.
NC has public support? Haven’t they always been sarkari stooges?
They won the recent election (as part of a coalition). They are of course corrupt, etc., but at least they have local roots and influence.