Let Not Fear Win Again

 

    

Extremism in the name of religion, caste, creed, or race—when it escalates into terrorism—can never be justified. It is, at its core, a violent resistance to change. A desperate attempt by those in power—or those who feel their power slipping—to cling to the past, to suppress the inevitable evolution of society.

    History has shown us time and again: extremism, no matter how brutal, is always defeated. Whether through the will of the people, the rise of a leader, or the simple march of time, such dark ideologies are always pushed back into the shadows. But they don’t go quietly. And often, the price of that resistance is paid by the innocent.

    Take, for instance, the recent heartbreaking attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, on April 22, 2025—where nearly 30 innocent tourists lost their lives to an act of cowardice. Kashmir, often referred to as "Paradise on Earth," had been slowly healing. Tourism was growing, livelihoods were improving, and the people of the valley were beginning to hope again.

    That hope is exactly what terrorism seeks to crush.

    When tourists are attacked, it isn’t just individuals who are targeted—it’s the economy, the spirit of the people, and the process of integration. The message is clear: “You are not safe here.” And when fear wins, the valley suffers. The people of Kashmir suffer. And progress is rolled back by decades.

But we must not allow that to happen again.

    This time, we must respond not with fear, but with resolve. We must support the people of Kashmir—economically, emotionally, and socially. Because every time we stand with them, we deny terror its victory.

    Terrorism thrives on inequality, on ignorance, and on power structures built on exclusion. When education reaches the masses, and money flows into the hands of the common people, those who once felt invincible start to feel threatened. That’s when they react—with violence, with terror. But that violence is not strength. It is fear. It is cowardice.

    Let’s also not forget that this isn’t a problem isolated to one region or one country. Across the globe, in so-called developed nations, racism and societal exclusion still run deep. Generations later, people are still identified by skin color, ethnicity, or origin—Black, Latino, Indian, Muslim, Asian, Eastern European. Citizenship is legal, but integration often remains superficial.

    And yet, in India—with all its diversity—we’ve managed something many nations have not: we identify as Indians first. That is powerful. That is rare. And that is a legacy worth protecting.

    So, as citizens of this vast and diverse country, it is our duty to extend that same sense of belonging to our Kashmiri and Northeastern brothers and sisters. Not as an act of charity, but as an act of unity. An act of healing. An act of justice.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel once said, “India is not a country that needs integration drives. It is a soul that lives in the heart of every Indian.”

Let’s live that truth—not just in words, but in action.
Let’s make sure that fear never triumphs again.
Let’s choose courage, compassion, and community. Always.

SSP

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