Daijiworld Media Network- Mumbai

Mumbai, Apr 25: Shiv Sena (UBT) on Friday took a sharp jibe at the central government, calling for swift action in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, and criticized what it deemed a diversionary political campaign. In an editorial published in its mouthpiece Saamana, the party accused the government of failing to focus on national security and instead indulging in political manoeuvring.

The editorial slammed the BJP's approach to the Pahalgam attack, describing it as "inhumane" to politicize the incident by fuelling communal divisions. The editorial stated, "The Pahalgam attack is inhumane, but blaming this case on Hindu-Muslim conflict is even more inhumane. Our fight is with Pakistan and terrorist groups. If anyone wants to defame Indian Muslims and Kashmiri people, then it indicates that they do not want to solve the country's problems and want to politicize Pahalgam like Pulwama."

In a pointed remark, the editorial accused the BJP’s IT cell of trying to create rifts between Hindus and Muslims, even in the wake of the attack, despite the locals helping stranded tourists. “While all the tourists are saying that locals helped the tourists stranded in and around Pahalgam, it is shocking that the BJP's 'IT' cell is trying to divide Hindus and Muslims in this incident as well,” it read.

Shiv Sena (UBT) also raised concerns about the government's focus on political rallies, pointing out Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally in Bihar during a period of national crisis. “While the nation is still reeling from the shock of the Pahalgam terror attack, the government has shifted focus to political campaigning. Instead of addressing the issue of terrorism and its impact, leaders like Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah are merely trying to avoid political discourse around the attack," the editorial stated.

The editorial further criticized the government's handling of past terror attacks such as those in Uri and Pulwama, arguing that while swift retaliation was promised, tangible action against Pakistan and terrorist groups remained absent. The piece also emphasized the need for a real, decisive response to the Pahalgam attack, urging the government to take substantial action rather than resort to political rhetoric.

Referring to past military responses, such as the surgical strike post-Uri, Shiv Sena (UBT) lamented that such actions had failed to deter Pakistan. “The country is facing a real threat from those who think that by voting for the BJP, making Modi the Prime Minister, 'revenge' will be completed. The revenge must be taken from Pakistan and the terrorists, not from the Muslims of our country," the editorial remarked.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) also took aim at the BJP’s handling of Jammu and Kashmir, questioning the benefits of Article 370's abrogation and accusing the government of neglecting the security forces and reducing military budgets. It pointed out that despite the removal of Article 370, the central government had not provided answers on the positive outcomes of such a major move.

The editorial closed by questioning the government’s priorities and emphasizing that national security should take precedence over political showmanship, urging immediate action to address the rising threat of terrorism.