 Early Times Report
JAMMU, Nov 16: BJP Jammu & Kashmir spokesperson Gaurav Gupta has issued a serious warning about what he described as a "dangerous dual challenge" confronting India today- the rise of highly educated individuals joining terror networks and a well-organised digital ecosystem attempting to shield them by spreading falsehoods and communal narratives.
Gupta said that recent terror-related arrests across Delhi, Gujarat, and other states involving doctors, engineers, researchers, and other professionals clearly prove that white-collar radicalisation is no longer a distant threat but a present and urgent reality. But what has disturbed him even more, he said, is the behaviour of a section of digital influencers and online commentators.
"These individuals do not even condemn terror attacks. Instead, they immediately jump to the narrative that 'a particular community is being targeted,'" Gupta said. He said this selective narrative is not only misleading but deeply divisive, especially because the very community these influencers claim to defend has also been a major victim of terrorism for decades.
Gupta added that members of this community have repeatedly shown unwavering patriotism, have served the nation in uniform, and many have made the supreme sacrifice while defending India. "It is shameful that some digital personalities, sitting comfortably behind screens, question the integrity of agencies and attempt to communalise actions that are purely security-driven," he said.
Calling them "narrative warriors for extremist elements," Gupta accused these influencers of providing digital cover fire to radicalised individuals by casting aspersions on investigations, muddying facts with misinformation, spreading emotional propaganda, and diluting the seriousness of terror plots.
"This propaganda machine activates instantly after every major security breakthrough. It manufactures confusion, raises baseless doubts, and creates sympathy shields for those under investigation," he said. "This is not activism, it is dangerous irresponsibility."
Gupta warned that such behaviour undermines public trust, misleads the youth, weakens national unity, and indirectly assists extremist forces working to destabilise the country.
"At a time when innocent citizens have lost their lives and when our security forces have prevented devastating attacks through immense courage and professionalism, the priority must be unity, clarity and national resolve, not digital theatrics," he asserted.
Reaffirming confidence in India's security agencies, Gupta said "Many catastrophic incidents have been averted only because of the dedication of our agencies. They deserve support, not online mud-slinging or politically motivated narratives."
He appealed to citizens, particularly young social media users, to remain vigilant, verify facts, and recognise attempts to create sympathy for radicalised elements. "We cannot allow selective outrage or manipulated digital narratives to overshadow the sacrifices of our soldiers and the hard work of our forces," he said.
Reiterating the BJP's stand, Gupta emphasised that the party is committed to defeating extremism in every form whether through physical explosives or narrative warfare online.
"National security will not be compromised," he said. "Those attempting narrative-driven mischief will be met with truth, evidence, and firm democratic resolve." |
