BJP’s darkest history of terrorism

India’s political history is deeply intertwined with the rise of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), particularly under the leadership of Narendra Modi. While the BJP has positioned itself as a defender of India’s sovereignty and security, it has paradoxically presided over some of the most catastrophic terrorist attacks in the country’s history. From Kargil to Pulwama, from the Parliament attack to Uri, these attacks have not only resulted in loss of life and national trauma but have raised serious questions about the effectiveness and accountability of the BJP government in handling terrorism.

It is impossible to ignore the fact that many of the most significant and devastating terrorist incidents in modern Indian history occurred during the tenure of the BJP, raising concerns about the government’s ability to prevent such attacks and its possible role in exacerbating the security situation.

The Kargil conflict of 1999, while not under the direct rule of Narendra Modi, set the stage for a dangerous escalation in Indo-Pakistani tensions, which would continue throughout the BJP’s time in power. Under then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s government, the Kargil War broke out after Pakistani forces infiltrated the Kargil region in Indian-administered Kashmir. The war resulted in significant military casualties and highlighted the vulnerability of India’s border security.

The Kargil attack itself may not have been a product of BJP’s tenure, but the subsequent handling of cross-border terrorism and the continuation of military hostilities under the BJP leadership post-Vajpayee, during Modi’s administration, presents a troubling pattern. Kargil marked the beginning of frequent cross-border incursions and an upsurge in militancy, and the BJP’s responses to these escalations would be questioned in later attacks.
In December 2001, the Indian Parliament in New Delhi was attacked by terrorists in an audacious strike that left several security personnel and civilians dead. The attack was allegedly carried out by Pakistan-based militant groups, including Jaish-e-Mohammed. The BJP government, led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, responded by deploying troops to the India-Pakistan border, leading to an extensive military standoff that almost spiraled into full-scale war.

The 2001 Parliament attack not only highlighted vulnerabilities in India’s national security but also raised suspicions about the political timing of such events. The BJP used the attack to rally nationalist sentiments and galvanize support for their party, presenting a narrative of being tough on national security. However, the attack exposed the deep flaws in India’s intelligence and security infrastructure, under the very government that claimed to be safeguarding the nation.

In 2016, a terrorist attack on an Indian army base in Uri, Jammu and Kashmir, resulted in the deaths of 19 Indian soldiers. The attack was claimed by Pakistan-based militants from Jaish-e-Mohammed, who had infiltrated the military facility. This attack triggered a fierce response from the BJP-led government, culminating in the so-called “surgical strikes” across the Line of Control (LoC).

Despite the political capital gained by the BJP from the military retaliation, the Uri attack exposed the broader failures of Indian intelligence and counterterrorism efforts. Despite repeated claims of being vigilant and prepared, India continued to suffer such devastating attacks under the BJP regime, even as the rhetoric of security and national pride was amplified.

The Pulwama terrorist attack of February 2019 was one of the deadliest and most tragic incidents to occur on Indian soil. A suicide bomber from the Pakistan-based militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into a convoy of Indian paramilitary forces, killing 40 CRPF personnel. The attack drew widespread condemnation, with the BJP government under Prime Minister Modi vowing to avenge the deaths.
While the BJP government quickly resorted to nationalistic rhetoric, the attack once again raised questions about the preparedness of India’s security agencies. The intelligence lapses leading up to the attack and the failure to prevent such a tragedy were glaring. The aftermath saw heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, culminating in airstrikes and retaliatory actions. However, the larger question remained: How could such a devastating attack happen under a government that had promised to safeguard India from terrorism?

The Pulwama attack also marked a turning point in Indian politics, as the BJP exploited the tragedy to bolster its political image, playing on the emotions of the public in the run-up to the 2019 general elections. Many critics argued that the Modi government used the attack for political gains, turning a national tragedy into a campaign tool to galvanize nationalist sentiments.

The Pahalgam terrorist attack of 2025, where militants targeted Indian security forces in the Kashmir region, continues the grim pattern of major security lapses under the BJP’s rule. The attack comes at a time when the BJP has claimed significant victories in Kashmir through its revocation of Article 370, but the violence in the region remains rampant.
The Pahalgam attack exposes the deep-rooted problems in India’s counterterrorism operations. While the government has intensified military and paramilitary presence in Kashmir, the recurring terrorist attacks demonstrate that brute force alone is insufficient to resolve the region’s longstanding issues. The BJP’s approach to Kashmir, focused on militarization and stripping the region of its special status, has failed to bring peace or security. Instead, it has led to more bloodshed and unrest, with Kashmiris continuing to suffer under heavy-handed tactics.

The pattern is unmistakable: from the Kargil conflict to the Parliament attack, Uri, Pulwama, and now Pahalgam, all major terrorist attacks in India have occurred during the BJP’s tenure. This raises significant questions about the government’s ability to prevent such attacks, its handling of national security, and its accountability in the face of repeated failures.

Despite a continuous narrative of toughness and national pride, the BJP government has been unable to protect the country from terrorism. Each attack has been followed by a series of promises, retaliations, and nationalistic fervor, but the root causes of terrorism and extremism—whether political, ideological, or socio-economic—remain unaddressed.
India’s security forces, intelligence agencies, and political leadership, particularly under the BJP, must reckon with their failures to prevent these attacks. While the BJP has successfully capitalized on the public’s anger and grief, the repeated occurrence of terrorist attacks paints a bleak picture of India’s national security under this party’s rule. The question remains: Can India continue to endure such attacks without confronting the deeper issues of governance, policy, and accountability that plague the BJP government?

This pattern of violence raises serious doubts about the BJP’s ability to provide the safety and security it promises to the Indian people. It also exposes the government’s inability to build a stable, peaceful, and secure nation, despite decades of aggressive rhetoric and militarization. The true test of India’s future lies not in its military might but in its ability to address the causes of terrorism and bring lasting peace to its people.