CPI-M Condemns Harassment of Kashmiris and Muslims After Pahalgam Attack

As outrage spreads following the Pahalgam attack in IIOJK, India’s Communist Party sounds the alarm on rising communal tensions and state inaction against actual perpetrators.

The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) has strongly denounced the rising attacks and harassment faced by Muslims and Kashmiri natives following the deadly attack on tourists in Pahalgam, located in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

The party criticized what it described as a retaliatory response by certain groups and authorities. According to CPI-M, such actions only serve the terrorists’ goals by further dividing communities and intensifying social and religious tensions across the country.

CPI-M referred to the killing of 26 tourists in the hill town of Pahalgam as a serious security failure. It stressed that instead of targeting innocent communities, the government must focus on identifying the real culprits—including those who orchestrated and supported the attackers.

In a statement, the party urged Indian authorities to compile a detailed dossier on the attack’s masterminds and present it to the international community. It also suggested involving the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to ensure accountability and international oversight.

Importantly, the CPI-M praised the public condemnation by many Kashmiris after the attack. It described the protests as a “significant event,” reflecting the local population’s rejection of violence and their desire for peace.

Beyond IIOJK, the CPI-M also highlighted a troubling pattern of anti-Muslim violence following the passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025. In several Indian cities, attacks against Muslims have surged, with the CPI-M accusing the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of using the Bill to inflame communal divisions and marginalize minority communities.

The party warned that this approach of polarizing people along religious lines is both dangerous and shortsighted. It argued that such tactics weaken the country’s social fabric and distract from the core issues—like governance failures and national security shortcomings.

CPI-M called on the government to shift its focus from reactionary crackdowns to transparent investigations and to work toward strengthening communal harmony. It emphasized that building unity among diverse communities is essential to defeating the divisive goals of terrorism.