Biased Reporting on the Hindu Massacre in Kashmir by western media

 Since the tragic events in Kashmir, many Western legacy media outlets, particularly American ones, have been complicit in denying the atrocities committed. Publications like CNN, Associated Press, and The New York Times engage in a nihilistic negation of reality, using subtle linguistic manipulations that confuse, minimize, and ultimately trivialize the scale of the tragedy.

Manipulation of Language

This manipulation is both textual and contextual, distorting reality through language that alters the nomenclature and interpretation of events. For instance, portraying the violence as a random act rather than a targeted assault on Hindus erases the identity of the victims and diminishes the gravity of the situation. The targeted cleansing of a specific group, driven by religious hatred and supported by a hostile state, is obscured by a narrative of indiscriminate bloodshed.

Shaping Perception

The goal is to influence how the public perceives and interprets the massacre of Hindus at the hands of Muslim extremists. In the Western media, not all identities are given equal weight; Hindus are often portrayed as "pretenders" to victimhood, lacking the narrative of systemic oppression afforded to other groups. This linguistic strategy denies Hindus their victim status and sanitizes their religious identity, presenting the violence as arbitrary rather than a deliberate act of terror.

Distortion of Reality

By referring to the attackers as "militants" rather than "terrorists," media outlets diminish the severity of their actions. Terms like "militant attack" and "spray of gunfire" obscure the fact that the victims were targeted for their identity. This deliberate choice of language not only trivializes the heinousness of the crime but also undermines India's sovereignty, as it fails to recognize Jammu and Kashmir as an integral part of India.

The Role of Associated Press

The Associated Press's coverage exemplifies this distortion. The report fails to mention that the majority of the victims were Hindus and instead relies on quotes from the terrorist group claiming responsibility, which labels the victims as "collaborators." This framing is not merely irresponsible; it is a moral failing that justifies the violence by suggesting that the victims deserved their fate.

Misrepresentation of Victims

The AP's selection of images further perpetuates this narrative. The majority of visuals highlight the grief of a single Muslim victim's family while neglecting the Hindu victims. This selective portrayal transforms a significant act of anti-Hindu violence into a narrative of Muslim victimhood, further obscuring the truth.

Criticism of Other Outlets

Other outlets, including The New York Times, also misrepresent the facts. The Times faced backlash for downplaying the attack by using the term "militant" instead of "terrorist." This approach dilutes the reality of targeted violence against Hindus, framing it instead as hearsay rather than a clear act of terror.

The Western media’s portrayal of the Kashmir massacre highlights a troubling trend: the prioritization of identity politics over factual reporting. Hindus, despite suffering significant violence, are relegated to a position of lesser victimhood. This distorted narrative not only undermines their experiences but also perpetuates stereotypes that deny their lived realities. The implications of such reporting are profound, as they shape public perception and influence policy discussions surrounding these critical issues.