Links of Pahalgam terror attack to unresolved questions from Partition, 1971 war

Veteran Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar on Saturday suggested that the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, which left 26 tourists dead, reflects the lingering consequences of India’s Partition and the 1971 war with Pakistan.

Speaking at a book launch, Aiyar asked, “Are the unresolved questions of the Partition mirrored in the terrible tragedy in Pahalgam?”

He traced the roots of Partition to deeper ideological differences between leaders like Gandhi, Nehru, and Jinnah. Aiyar said that despite efforts to prevent it, the split happened because of differing ideas of India’s nationhood and civilisational identity.

Highlighting an ongoing challenge, he questioned whether Muslims in India today feel “accepted, cherished, and celebrated.” He said these unresolved issues continue to haunt the nation.

Aiyar also reflected on Pakistan’s trajectory, arguing that the 1971 Bangladesh war shattered its ambition of being the subcontinent’s sole protector of Muslims. He stressed that identity is multi-dimensional, not limited to religion.

Posing a direct challenge, Aiyar said India must choose between embracing Muslims as integral citizens or viewing them with suspicion. “Why should I answer my own questions? Ask any Muslim and you will get the answers,” he remarked.

Meanwhile, India has announced a string of countermeasures against Pakistan, including suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, visa revocations, and halting trade. Pakistan retaliated by closing its airspace and threatening escalation.

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