In an age dominated by instant reactions, social media rage, and performative patriotism, national security decisions are increasingly being subjected to knee-jerk public opinion.
The recent military operation – Operation Sindoor- launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, once again brought to the fore the contradictions, impatience, and emotional volatility of public discourse in India.
The government of India, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, took decisive action that many believed was long overdue. And yet, ironically, the same voices that demanded immediate retaliation were the first to criticize the ceasefire that followed.
This oscillation in public opinion raises an important question: Are we as a nation ready to trust our elected government and our defence institutions to make mature decisions, or have we handed over our national security policy to trending hashtags and digital hysteria?
Let’s be clear – Pakistan remains a rogue neighbour, with a track record of sponsoring cross-border terrorism.
The Pahalgam attack was yet another reminder of its continuing hostility.
The Narendra Modi government responded with Operation Sindoor, a calibrated and strategically executed military initiative that reportedly included BrahMos strikes on key terror infrastructure across the Line of Control.
It was swift, precise, and sent a clear message: India will not tolerate terror.
And yet, no sooner did the government announce a ceasefire – after a successful demonstration of India’s capabilities – than the backlash began.
From sections of the opposition, especially the Congress camp, to so-called “peace advocates” on social media, criticism rained down accusing the Modi government of “backing down.”
The irony is glaring. When the government waits and assesses the situation before retaliating, it’s accused of weakness.
When it retaliates, it is accused of warmongering. And when it decides to step back after achieving tactical objectives, it is again blamed for lack of resolve.
The Congress party’s attempts to compare the 2025 situation with the 1971 war under Indira Gandhi are not only politically motivated but also dangerously illogical. The world of 1971 bears little resemblance to today’s geopolitical and technological reality. In 1971, Pakistan was already internally divided, and the context was largely regional.
Today, we are dealing with a nuclear-armed Pakistan, with over 130 nuclear warheads, and a volatile political and military leadership that has nothing to lose and everything to destroy.
One miscalculation could spiral into catastrophic consequences – not just for the two nations, but for the entire subcontinent.
It is deeply irresponsible to draw comparisons without acknowledging the current nuclear calculus, global diplomatic stakes, and the economic consequences of a full-scale war.
Those baying for blood on social media would do well to remember that war is not a video game. Real lives are at stake. Real families send their children to the borders. And real consequences follow every missile fired.
It is also fair to ask how many among those relentlessly calling for war have any personal stake in it.
How many have children serving in the armed forces? How many understand military strategy, logistics, or global diplomacy? Patriotism is not measured by how loudly you shout on television debates or how aggressively you tweet.
True patriotism lies in trusting the institutions of your country – its armed forces, its elected leadership, and its diplomatic corps – to make informed, measured decisions in the interest of national security.
In my earlier columns, I have consistently maintained that war is not the solution. But ignoring persistent terror threats is also not an option. What India needs – and has finally demonstrated – is the will to strike when necessary and the wisdom to stop when objectives are achieved.
Operation Sindoor and the precision strikes carried out as part of it have served the purpose they were intended for: deterrence and message delivery. We have shown both capability and intent.
India must rise above emotional, politically coloured reactions.
Decisions of war and peace must not be reduced to tools of political point-scoring or digital spectacle. It is not just the government’s spine we must acknowledge – it is also their sense of responsibility.
Unlike past administrations that failed to respond even after horrific terror events like the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, the present government has acted decisively. That must be recognized.
Let the military strategists, intelligence agencies, and elected representatives do their job.
Their decisions are not made in isolation, but after weighing costs, benefits, risks, and long-term consequences. At a time when India is asserting itself on the global stage, we must back our institutions, not second-guess them at every step.
The government has shown it is capable of action. Now let’s show we are capable of trust.
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