Modi Government’s Strategic Use of Pakistan as a Scapegoat for Domestic Repression

In New Delhi’s halls of power, the Modi government has turned blaming Pakistan into a state-run strategy. This is not just about foreign policy; it is a dark and calculated tool for controlling its own people. Since the Pehalgam attack in April 2025, the Indian state has used this tactic for everything, from covering up its own failures to justifying brutal crackdowns. This non-stop propaganda campaign allows the Modi regime to present Pakistan as a villain while it crushes minorities, political opponents, and human rights activists across India.
 
A Nationwide Hunt: Blaming Pakistan for All Problems
 
The Modi government has taken its old strategy of blaming Pakistan for issues in Kashmir and made it a nationwide policy. This involves a constant stream of accusations that are not backed by evidence, all to create a false sense of national emergency. This is a clever trick to justify the government’s increasingly harsh rule and to control the public narrative.
A Campaign of Baseless Accusations:
From April to September 2025, the Indian government pushed a story that connected nearly every single act of violence, crime, or protest to Pakistan’s direct involvement, but it never offered any real proof.
This blame was used for everything, from attacks in Kashmir to peaceful protests in Ladakh, and from clashes between communities to so-called spy rings in other states.
By successfully blaming its own political and social problems on an outside force, the Modi regime shifted attention away from its poor performance at home.
Expanding the Narrative Beyond Kashmir:
While Kashmir has always been the main stage for this blame game, the government has now spread these accusations to other regions to make the threat seem bigger.
States like Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat were often mentioned in official claims of infiltration, drone attacks, and spying, all of which were blamed on Pakistani agencies.
This helped create a wave of aggressive nationalism around a made-up threat, making it easier for the government to pass harsh security laws and silence anyone who asked questions.
 
Crushing Dissent Under the Cover of National Security
 
The most dangerous part of India’s anti-Pakistan propaganda is how it is used as a weapon against its own citizens. Under the Modi government, anyone who questions the official story can be labelled an ‘anti-national’ threat. The tag of a ‘Pakistani agent’ has become a convenient excuse for widespread human rights abuses and for silencing every voice of opposition.
Targeting Peaceful Activism in Ladakh:
The arrest of the famous activist Sonam Wangchuk in September 2025 is a perfect example of this tactic. He was simply leading a peaceful movement for basic rights for Ladakh, including statehood and job protections.
Instead of talking with him, the Indian government accused him of working with Pakistan. It made up a story about a Pakistani agent and started investigations into his funding, all without a single piece of real proof.
This sent a clear message that even peaceful democratic movements will be treated as terrorism if they challenge the central government.
A War on Minorities and Aid Groups:
The Modi regime has falsely linked the identity of Indian Muslims and other minorities with Pakistan’s interests. Any complaint from these communities is immediately labelled as terrorism supported by Pakistan.
Aid groups and NGOs that speak up for minority rights have faced a severe crackdown. Many have been shut down, with the government accusing them of taking money from Pakistan to create trouble in India.
Communal Violence as a State Tool:
Across India, there has been a rise in police crackdowns, random arrests, and the forced destruction of homes and shops owned by minorities.
These cruel actions are always justified with the excuse of fighting terrorism sponsored by Pakistan. The government and friendly media outlets label any minority or opposition voice as anti-national, which makes the splits in society even wider.
 
The Real Goals Behind the Propaganda
 
This carefully built story of a constant threat from Pakistan is not without purpose. It serves several clear political goals for the Modi government, all of which are aimed at tightening its grip on power, hiding its failures, and turning India into a nation constantly ready for war.
Hiding the Government’s Failures:
By keeping the public focused on a fake enemy, the Modi government cleverly avoids any responsibility for its own failures.
Serious problems like massive unemployment, a failing economy, rising tensions between communities, and widespread human rights abuses are all hidden behind the so-called threat from Pakistan.
Unifying the Nation Through Fear:
Making Pakistan look like a villain is a powerful way to unite a divided Indian public behind a single, aggressive nationalist agenda.
By creating a common enemy, the government can gather support and justify the wearing away of basic freedoms, all in the name of national security.
Justifying a More Aggressive Military:
The propaganda directly feeds India’s aggressive military position in the region. The endless cycle of accusations and military actions creates an environment of endless conflict.
This state of constant tension damages any real chances for peace and takes money away from important areas like health and education to spend on the military.
 
Conclusion: A Dangerous Game of Lies
 
The Modi government’s strategy of using Pakistan as a scapegoat is a dangerous game of lies with terrible consequences. It is a calculated policy created to give political cover for a campaign of abuse against its own people, including minorities and political opponents. By using propaganda as a tool, the government not only crushes democracy inside India but also makes the entire South Asian region more unstable. By creating a foreign threat to justify its cruel rule at home, the Modi regime has shown that it rules not because it has the right to, but through fear, lies, and force.