Dorothy Brown The brutal Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which targeted and killed innocent civilians—many of them Hindu pilgrims and tourists—has shocked the world. Yet, the political response from parties like Labour, the Greens, and their allies in New Zealand and other Western democracies has left many in the Hindu and Indian community feeling betrayed and deeply frustrated. Their reluctance to unequivocally call out the attack as Islamist terrorism, or their attempts to “both-sides” the issue, have exposed a dangerous hypocrisy that must not be forgotten.
The Pahalgam Attack: A Clear Act of Terror
On April 22, 2025, terrorists affiliated with The Resistance Front (an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba) carried out a targeted massacre in Pahalgam, Kashmir. Eyewitnesses and survivors confirmed that the attackers identified and killed non-Muslims, including Hindus, in a deliberate act of religiously motivated violence. The attack was designed to terrorize, divide, and disrupt peace in the region.
The Political Response: Evasion and Double Standards
Labour and Green Parties’ Statements
Instead of a clear condemnation of radical Islamist terrorism, statements from Labour, the Greens, and some allied parties were couched in vague language. Phrases like “cycle of violence,” “need for dialogue,” and “all sides must exercise restraint” were used, with little or no acknowledgment of the religious targeting or the ideology behind the attack.
- No Direct Condemnation: Many statements failed to name the groups responsible or the ideology motivating them.
- False Equivalence: Some leaders drew false parallels with unrelated incidents, diluting the gravity of the attack.
- Selective Outrage: The same parties are often vocal and explicit in condemning attacks elsewhere, but become evasive when the victims are Hindus or the perpetrators are Islamist extremists.
Why This Is Hypocrisy
These parties have a record of calling out terrorism in other contexts—be it attacks in Europe, the US, or against other religious groups. Their silence or equivocation when Hindus or Indians are targeted reveals a double standard that cannot be excused as mere oversight or diplomatic caution.
The Impact on the Hindu and Indian Community
The community feels isolated and let down by political leaders who are quick to court their votes but slow to defend their rights or acknowledge their suffering. This selective empathy sends a message that Hindu and Indian lives are less worthy of outrage or justice.
- Erosion of Trust: Many in the community are questioning their political allegiances and the sincerity of parties that fail to stand with them in moments of crisis.
- Call for Accountability: There is a growing demand that politicians and parties who equivocate on terrorism or pander to extremist lobbies be held accountable at the ballot box.
A Message for the Next Election
The Pahalgam attack and the subsequent political hypocrisy should serve as a wake-up call. The Hindu and Indian community must remember which leaders stood up for justice and which ones hid behind platitudes. It is time to demand clear, principled stands against all forms of terrorism—without excuses, without double standards.
- Never Forget: The victims of Pahalgam deserve justice, not political games.
- Vote with Conscience: Support only those who unequivocally condemn terrorism and support the rights and dignity of all communities.
- Teach a Lesson: Let the next election be a referendum on hypocrisy. Those who fail to call out terror for what it is should be shown the door.
Anyone Supporting Terrorism Must Be Held Accountable
Terrorism, in any form and against any community, is an assault on humanity. Politicians who fail to call it out, or who indulge in selective outrage, are complicit in enabling further violence. The Hindu and Indian community must unite, stay vigilant, and ensure that their voices—and their votes—are never taken for granted again.
Summary
The Pahalgam attack has exposed the hypocrisy of parties like Labour and the Greens, whose reluctance to label Islamist terror for what it is betrays the trust of the Hindu and Indian community. As elections approach, it is crucial to remember who stood for justice and who stood aside. The time for accountability is now—at the ballot box and beyond.
