Former governor of Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Satya Pal Malik, has delivered a sharp blow to the Modi government. In a bold interview with senior journalist Karan Thapar for The Wire, Malik called Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi a “coward.” He claimed that even if Pakistan pulled back all its troops from the border, Modi still wouldn’t dare to launch an attack.
Malik fiercely criticised the Modi government’s response to the recent attack in Pahalgam. He questioned the lack of security in an area known to host nearly 2,000 tourists at a time. He said, “Modi should have apologised to the nation,” highlighting what he described as a complete failure in security arrangements.
He went further and mocked the Bharatiya Janata Party’s approach to internal safety. According to him, the security meetings held under the Modi government are nothing more than casual gatherings for snacks and idle chatter. Malik didn’t spare Indian Home Minister Amit Shah either. He accused him of using these meetings for political advantage, rather than addressing serious threats.
Malik attacked Modi’s leadership style directly. He claimed the Prime Minister lacks the bravery to take important decisions on his own. “He hides behind the security forces,” Malik said, adding that in a real conflict with Pakistan, no army general would risk taking responsibility for a failed operation. According to him, this reveals a deep flaw in India’s civil-military leadership under the Modi government.
He didn’t stop there. Malik accused the BJP of stoking religious divisions for votes. He said the party thrives on creating tension between Hindus and Muslims. In his words, “Communal polarisation has become their main election strategy.”
During the interview, Malik also shared a past remark by a Pakistani minister. The official had said, “Remove troops from this side of the border and let them come.” This, Malik claimed, shows how even Pakistan believes that India, under Modi, lacks the will to take bold military steps. It was, according to him, an international reflection of Modi’s fear-driven leadership.
Malik’s fiery statements come at a time of heightened India-Pakistan tensions. Islamabad has strongly denied any role in the Pahalgam attack and continues to push for de-escalation. Malik’s blunt criticism has reignited public debate about how the Modi government handles national security and whether it prioritises politics over genuine safety concerns.
