The prime minister has finally spoken on the issues arising after the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor. He did not choose the parliament or the 2 all party meetings called on the issue or even the press, instead he chose his favourite platform of communication, direct address to the nation. A monologue with no counter or even suggestion otherwise. A mode he has perfected and which he practices regularly through his Man ki Baat. His absence from the discourse over the last 3 weeks has been disconcerting and when he finally came, the nation was anxious with questions and apprehensions. The people were anxious about the outcome and future fallout of the conflict. They were apprehensive about the disruptions the brief conflict brought to their lives. The prime minister was the one person who they thought had the answers. While he eloquently explained the position of his government on terrorism and its response to it, they have been mouthed repeatedly by the government. But more important than what he said was what he chose to be silent about. The conditions of ceasefire and what led to it. The role of the USA in brokering this peace. The costs of what he called “the new normal “. The nuclear hint which he dropped but left unexplained. The stands of the international community. The strategic preparedness and vision of the country. The domestic political discourse othering the Muslims. The need for a more comprehensive communication cannot be overemphasized. The government should not only call for a special session of the parliament to debate the issue but also bring a white paper on it.
