The terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, which claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists, and injured dozens, has left the nation grappling with grief and demanding accountability. The attack, attributed to The Resistance Front, a proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba, has raised serious concerns about security lapses and the government’s response. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s actions following the attack—cutting short his Saudi Arabia visit, skipping key engagements, and prioritizing a public event in Bihar—have sparked intense debate. This article examines the critical questions surrounding Modi’s decisions, drawing on available information and public sentiment to seek clarity and transparency.
Why Did PM Modi Hastily Return from Saudi Arabia?
On April 22, 2025, PM Modi cut short his two-day state visit to Saudi Arabia, departing Jeddah that night and arriving in Delhi early on April 23, following the Pahalgam attack. Government sources report that he skipped an official dinner hosted by Saudi authorities and canceled a planned visit to a date factory to address the crisis. Upon landing, he held an emergency meeting with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, followed by a Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting. The CCS approved significant measures, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty and closing the Attari border post, signaling a strong diplomatic response. Modi’s decision to avoid Pakistani airspace on his return flight further underscored the gravity of the situation.
However, public discourse, including posts on X, questions whether the hurried return was solely driven by the attack or influenced by domestic political considerations, such as maintaining a strong public image during a national crisis. The lack of a detailed official statement clarifying the decision has fueled speculation. Transparency is essential to assure citizens that the return was motivated by strategic necessity rather than political optics.
Why Hasn’t PM Modi Visited Jammu and Kashmir?
As of April 28, 2025, there are no confirmed reports of PM Modi visiting Jammu and Kashmir post-attack. Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited Srinagar and Pahalgam on April 22 and 23, meeting survivors, paying homage to victims, and reviewing security arrangements. Government sources indicate that Modi directed Shah to handle the on-ground response, suggesting a division of responsibilities. While this may reflect strategic delegation, the Prime Minister’s absence from the region has drawn criticism from opposition leaders and the public. Social media posts highlight sentiments that a personal visit would have demonstrated solidarity with victims and reassured residents and tourists in a region heavily reliant on tourism.
The failure to visit Jammu and Kashmir risks deepening perceptions of detachment, particularly when contrasted with Shah’s prompt response. A visit could have addressed local anxieties, especially given reports of mass cancellations and a 63% drop in Srinagar flight bookings post-attack. The government must clarify why Modi has not yet visited and outline plans for future engagement with the region.
Why Did PM Modi Skip the All-Party Meeting?
The all-party meeting on April 24, 2025, convened to discuss the Pahalgam attack, was chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, with Home Minister Amit Shah and other leaders present. PM Modi’s absence was notable, and no official explanation has been provided. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh expressed disappointment, noting that the party expected Modi to lead the discussion given the attack’s severity. Opposition figures, including Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, criticized Modi for attending a public event in Bihar instead, as highlighted in X posts. The meeting saw unified condemnation of the attack, with leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge supporting government actions, but Modi’s absence raised questions about his commitment to fostering a collective national response.
The Prime Minister’s decision to skip this meeting missed an opportunity to demonstrate leadership and unity. The government must explain why Modi did not attend and ensure his presence in future discussions to address such critical national issues
Why No Press Conference After Returning?
PM Modi has not held a dedicated press conference to address the Pahalgam attack since returning from Saudi Arabia. Instead, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri briefed the media on April 23, outlining diplomatic measures against Pakistan. Modi issued statements via X, condemning the attack and vowing justice, and spoke at a public event in Madhubani, Bihar, on April 24, promising to “pursue terrorists to the ends of the earth.” These remarks, while forceful, lacked the depth and interactivity of a press conference, leaving many questions unanswered. Public frustration, evident in X posts, centers on Modi’s reluctance to face direct media scrutiny, which could have clarified the government’s strategy and addressed concerns about security lapses.
A press conference would have provided a platform to detail the government’s response, counter misinformation, and reassure a grieving nation. The absence of such engagement risks amplifying perceptions of evasiveness, and the government should prioritize direct communication moving forward.
Why Hasn’t PM Modi Met Victims’ Families or the Injured?
There are no reports of PM Modi personally meeting the families of those killed or visiting the injured in hospitals. Amit Shah met survivors during his Pahalgam visit, and the Jammu and Kashmir government announced financial aid (Rs 10 lakh for families of the deceased, Rs 2 lakh for the seriously injured, and Rs 1 lakh for minor injuries). The lack of a personal gesture from Modi has drawn sharp criticism, particularly from victims’ families and opposition leaders. For example, the family of Sushil Nathaniel, killed in the attack, shared distressing accounts of the incident, amplifying calls for high-level empathy. X posts echo this sentiment, questioning why Modi has not engaged directly with those affected.
Meeting victims’ families and the injured is a critical act of leadership that demonstrates compassion and reinforces the government’s commitment to justice. The Prime Minister’s failure to do so risks alienating those most impacted by the tragedy, and an immediate effort to connect with them is essential.
Was the Bihar Event a Political Priority?
PM Modi’s appearance in Madhubani, Bihar, on April 24, 2025, for National Panchayati Raj Day, where he inaugurated projects worth over Rs 13,480 crore, has been contentious. Attended by Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, the event was criticized by Congress and RJD as a political rally during a time of national mourning. X posts, including from Bihar Congress, contrasted Modi’s Bihar visit with Rahul Gandhi’s decision to cut short a US trip to attend Delhi meetings. While the event was not explicitly an election rally (Bihar’s assembly elections are scheduled for October-November 2025), its political undertones, amplified by developmental announcements and a public address, fueled perceptions that Modi prioritized optics over the crisis. In his speech, Modi vowed to punish terrorists, switching to English to address the global community, but the timing drew scrutiny.
The decision to prioritize a public event in Bihar over visiting Jammu and Kashmir or meeting victims raises serious questions about the government’s focus. While addressing development is important, the optics of choosing a high-profile event so soon after the attack suggest a misalignment of priorities. The government must clarify why this event took precedence and ensure future actions reflect the urgency of the crisis.
The Need for Accountability and Unity
The Pahalgam attack has exposed vulnerabilities in India’s security framework and tested the government’s leadership. While the diplomatic measures and CCS decisions indicate a proactive response, PM Modi’s absence from Jammu and Kashmir, the all-party meeting, and direct engagements with victims and the media have deepened public skepticism. The government’s narrative of restored normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir post-Article 370 abrogation is under scrutiny, given this is the deadliest attack since 2019. Allegations of intelligence failures, as raised by AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi, and reports of terrorists conducting reconnaissance undetected demand thorough investigation.
Moreover, the attack’s aftermath has seen risks of communal polarization, with reports of terrorists targeting victims based on religion. The government must ensure that counterterrorism efforts remain evidence-based and avoid fueling divisive narratives. An independent judicial inquiry, led by a Supreme Court judge, is essential to uncover the truth behind the attack and address security lapses. The government should also combat hate speech and misinformation, as seen in some X posts, to maintain national unity.
Moving Forward
Modi’s leadership is under a microscope. His government’s diplomatic moves are bold, but his absence from Kashmir, victims’ bedside, and the press podium erodes trust. To restore confidence, Modi should visit Pahalgam, meet the bereaved, and face the media. A transparent inquiry and a tourism security framework are urgent, as is a commitment to unity over division. India’s strength lies in its diversity and constitutional moorings. The response to Pahalgam will test whether Modi can rise above optics to deliver both security and solidarity.
India’s resilience lies in its unity and adherence to constitutional principles of equality and justice. The Pahalgam attack is a call for decisive action, not just against terrorism but also against division and distrust. The government’s response in the coming days will determine its ability to lead a grieving nation toward healing and security.
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