Pahalgam Tragedy: Godi media's complicity in spreading misinformation and communal tensions

Posted by admin_kas on 2025-04-28 11:30:37 |

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Arshid Ahmad Malik

malik121arshid@gmail.com

The serene valley of Pahalgam known for its breathtaking landscapes,was shaken to its core by a brutal and inhuman attack that claimed innocent lives and left the nation in shock.

On 22 April 2025 afternoon,a group of terrorists in Pahalgam,J&K leaving 26 tourists dead and many more injured.

The attack was widely condemned by people across the country with many leaders and citizens expressing their outrage and grief.

Even just after the attack the people from every nook and corner of Kashmir mourned and strongly condemned this brutal and inhuman act and we saw candlelight protests from different places of Kashmir in solidarity with the victim families who lost their loved ones in this Coward Act.

Besides, we saw some heartwarming stories of Kashmiris helping tourists during this horrific attack.

Some Kashmiri Youth took the initiative to help tourists, providing them with medical care and transportation to safe areas.

Their actions showed that even in times of crisis,there are individuals who prioritize humanity over adversity.

Likewise, Aadil Hussain Shah a pony rider and a sole breadwinner in his home lost his life while attempting to protect tourists by tackling gun men.

Another example of bravery was demonstrated by a Kashmiri shawl vendor, Sajad Ahmad Bhat who risked his life to help injured tourists.

He carried some to safety on his back and provided water to those in need.Moreover,taxi drivers and hotel owners offered free rides and services to tourists, guiding them to safety.

These acts highlights Kashmiri community's commitment to humanity, hospitality and unity even in the face of adversity.

These acts of kindness serve as a powerful counter-narrative to the misconception that Kashmiris support to condone violence.

Instead, they highlight the community's resilience, empathy and dedication to peace.

In the aftermath of this excruciating attack, certain media outlets of our nation,often referred to as "Godi Media" left no stone unturned to sensationalize the stories to grab the attention.

They often spread misinformation and promote biased narratives leading to polarization and erosion of trust in the media.

In the wake of this attack "Godi Media" claimed that the terrorists selectively targeted Hindus after checking their names.

However,the list of victims revealed that 15 out of 26 killed were Muslims, debunking this false narrative.

By spreading this unverified claims,these TV Channels aimed to fuel communal tensions and polarization, which could lead to further violence and hatred.

This behaviour aligns with a disturbing trend where sections of the media amplify divisive narratives to serve political agendas.

Although the tourists who were here and witnessed this attack themselves praised local Kashmiris for their heroic approach in helping them to save their lives.

Moreover, the tourists in different parts of the valley are claiming that they are safe and secure.

They wanted to convey the message to other parts of India that there is nothing like that which godi media is trying to show through different news channels.

They are just spreading misinformation leading to communal violence in the nation.

On the next day of this attack,one of the TV Channel of godi media, ABP news anchor Chitra Tripathi faced protests at Ghantaghar Lal chowk after locals said that she was trying to spread fake news about the attack.

The protestors including tourism groups,lawyers and civil society members criticized the media particularly for its emphasis on communal issues rather than holding the government accountable.

The protests saw slogans condemning terrorism and advocating for Hindu-Muslim unity.

The protestors also expressed frustration over the media's selective reporting and the censorship of local voices.

From common people to the leaders of the Government in Kashmir, everyone slammed "Godi Media" and hold their anchors responsible for communal disharmony in the nation.

With their biased and inflammatory coverage, Kashmiris living across India especially students have been heckled,harrased and faced threats by far-right Hindu groups or even their classmates.

From Uttarakhand, Punjab, to Uttar Pradesh, landlords are pushing Kashmiri tenants out; and shopkeepers are refusing to trade with them.

Several Kashmiri students are sleeping at airports as they try to make their way home.

However,It's essential to hold such media outlets accountable for their actions and promote responsible journalism that prioritizes fact-checking, balance, and accuracy.

By doing so, we can work towards creating a more informed and compassionate society where communal harmony and peace are valued.

The author has done masters in Political Science from University of Kashmir and is currently a Socio-Political Activist and Chairperson of Liberal Youth Club Soibugh.