Ease up on the frenzy

Nationalist hysteria in India has been at a fever pitch for a week now following the news of the Indian Army’s strike on Pakistan-based terrorist targets along the

Nationalist hysteria in India has been at a fever pitch for a week now following the news of the Indian Army’s strike on Pakistan-based terrorist targets along the Line of Control (LoC) on September 29. Political leaders and enthusiasts on TV talk shows and on social media have been celebrating the strikes; they refer to Pakistan in disparaging terms and many have called for more reprisals. In a welcome move, Mr Modi has reportedly cautioned his Cabinet colleagues against chest thumping and creating a hysteria over India’s strikes, and has indicated that only those authorised should speak on the Army’s actions.

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There are sound reasons for tamping down on the febrile climate. First, attempts to gain political capital out of crisis can provoke a measure of push-back from the Opposition. It is not surprising that the Congress, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and others called for evidence of the strikes. The Army has handed over the video footage to the government but the Centre has wisely decided against its release. Islamabad has denied that there has been a strike and is looking for a face-saving option to avoid an escalation of hostilities, which is also in New Delhi’s interests. If the footage was to be released, then Islamabad and Rawalpindi will be hard-pressed to not undertake retaliatory action in an attempt to restore a measure of pride. Those egging the government on to do more do not seem to understand that their form of support limits the options of the political leadership. A government cannot pursue a process of de-escalation while the public sphere is in a charged mode.

Those clamouring for war also do not seem to understand the purpose of the strike. It was about communicating to Pakistan that India would take a stern attitude to cross-LoC infiltration and that Islamabad had to rethink the existence of the India-oriented militant infrastructure it maintains. The strikes were about establishing new realities on the LoC and signalling intent, not an invitation to a full-blown conflict. But the triumphalist narratives of some political leaders and over-the-top chatter among the commentariat are bound to create misperceptions in Pakistan about India’s future approach — a recipe for further instability. Leaders in the ruling party and beyond must wise up to the wider impact of their rhetoric.