Delhi Red Fort Blast: 2,000+ Kashmiri Students Questioned as Political Storm Erupts Over Dalwai’s RSS Remarks | A Deep Dive Into India’s Latest Terror Investigation
By: JAvid Amin | 17 November 2025
Delhi Red Fort Blast Investigation Widens: Over 2,000 Kashmiri Students Questioned as Political Row Erupts Over RSS Remarks
The blast near Delhi’s historic Red Fort on November 10 has triggered one of the most extensive security investigations in recent years. What began as a routine forensic exercise soon expanded into a massive probe cutting across states, campuses, and communities. The multi-layered operation—spread across Delhi, Faridabad, Kashmir, and pockets of Uttar Pradesh—has now pulled more than 2,000 Kashmiri students and tenants into questioning, setting off ripples of anxiety, debate, and political confrontation.
At the heart of this investigation lies the alleged role of a “white-collar terror module,” a term suggesting a network of educated individuals with access to resources, digital infrastructure, and institutional spaces. The suspected suicide bomber, identified as Dr. Umar Un Nabi, reportedly had associations with Al-Falah University in Haryana, a detail that prompted police to widen the probe across academic circles and student clusters in Faridabad.
As security agencies comb through more than 13,000 CCTV clips, analyse digital footprints, and trace phone records, parallel tensions have erupted on the political stage. Congress leader Husain Dalwai’s remarks—linking the blast to “injustice in Kashmir” and calling for an investigation into the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)—have drawn sharp reactions from the ruling BJP, adding fuel to an already sensitive national debate.
This longform report attempts to chronicle not only the facts of the investigation but also the layered socio-political, communal, academic, and emotional dimensions unfolding around it.
The Blast That Shook the National Capital
The explosion near the Red Fort—a location symbolically entwined with India’s identity—occurred on November 10. Casualty figures reported by multiple agencies range between 10–12 deaths, with dozens injured. The exact nature of the device, the attacker’s route, and motive remain under official investigation, though authorities quickly identified the possibility of a highly organized module.
Pictures and videos taken moments after the blast depicted scenes of chaos—shattered glass, billowing smoke, and commuters rushing to safety. For the public, the incident evoked disturbing memories of past terror attacks in high-security zones of the capital.
Given the location, security agencies treated the explosion as a national security emergency, triggering immediate coordination between the Delhi Police Special Cell, NIA, Intelligence Bureau, and local Haryana police.
Within days, the investigation took a sharp turn toward Faridabad—a rapidly growing educational and commercial hub on Delhi’s periphery.
Faridabad Becomes the Epicenter of the Probe
Faridabad’s proximity to Delhi and its concentration of students from multiple states made it a focal point of scrutiny. Early surveillance clues allegedly pointed to movements connected to Dr. Umar Un Nabi, who was affiliated with a private medical college within the Al-Falah University ecosystem.
The Faridabad Police soon launched what many describe as one of the largest questioning drives in recent years.
Numbers That Stand Out
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2,000+ Kashmiri students and tenants questioned
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13,000+ CCTV clips analyzed
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3,000 kg of explosives recovered in earlier linked searches
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Multiple arrests and detentions—including doctors
Authorities maintain that the wide sweep is necessary given the nature of a “white-collar” module, which often relies on educated operatives rather than traditional militant recruits.
Why Students Were Questioned
Kashmiris studying or renting accommodation in Faridabad became a primary focus because:
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Several suspects studied or worked in the same academic cluster.
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Police needed to verify movements, associations, last contacts, and campus presence.
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The digital patterns of communication revealed links to student communities.
Human rights groups, Kashmiri student associations, and civil society activists, however, raised concerns about large-scale questioning without clear parameters.
Voices From the Ground: Students, Families, and Fear
As word spread that hundreds of Kashmiris were being questioned, fear and uncertainty gripped student clusters across Faridabad and nearby regions.
Many Kashmiri students—already familiar with scrutiny following past national events—described this wave of questioning as “exhausting but expected.”
Common Concerns Reported in Ground Narratives
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Police knocking at hostels at late hours
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Students asked to present ID, rental papers, hostel entry logs
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Phone devices checked for communication records
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Families in Kashmir calling repeatedly, fearing detention
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Ambiguity about who was being treated as a witness or suspect
Several students said the questioning was “respectful and procedural,” while others felt it was “intimidating.” The difference often depended on the officers handling the case and the location.
These interactions also renewed unresolved emotional wounds among Kashmiri youths, who are frequently caught between their academic aspirations and the political sensitivities surrounding their region.
Who Was Dr. Umar Un Nabi? The Suspected Suicide Bomber
According to police statements, Dr. Umar Un Nabi was a young Kashmiri medical professional associated with Al-Falah University. Authorities allege he acted as a suicide bomber in the Delhi blast.
While details of his background, motivations, and ideological leanings remain under official investigation, his identity immediately triggered questions about recruitment pathways, mental conditioning, and the possibility of sophisticated radicalization networks targeting medical professionals.
This angle is extremely sensitive—such cases can stigmatize entire academic institutions or communities if not handled with factual precision. Investigators have maintained that their focus is on individuals, not groups.
The “White-Collar Terror Module”: A New Phrase in India’s Security Dictionary
The term “white-collar terror module” has gained traction as agencies uncovered a pattern of educated individuals allegedly involved in planning, logistics, digital communication, and surveillance tasks traditionally associated with extremist groups.
Why this concept matters
A “white-collar module” implies:
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Higher operational secrecy
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Digital sophistication
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No traditional militant footprint
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Institutional masking (colleges, clinics, labs, research centers)
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Ability to blend in seamlessly
Such networks complicate the conventional counter-terror approach, which often relies on tracking suspicious financial flows, border activities, or overt extremist communication.
Political Storm: Husain Dalwai’s Remarks Trigger National Debate
Into this already tense environment entered a political controversy. Senior Congress leader Husain Dalwai, while addressing the media, made three broad observations:
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India must examine the “injustice in Kashmir” to understand why young people are drawn into violence.
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The timing of terror incidents around elections should be scrutinized.
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The RSS should be investigated as part of the inquiry.
These remarks ignited outrage across the political spectrum, especially from the ruling BJP.
BJP’s Reaction
BJP leaders accused Dalwai of:
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politicizing a terror tragedy
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demoralizing investigators
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“speaking the language of separatists”
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“whitewashing extremist acts”
Some leaders demanded that the Congress High Command distance itself from the remarks.
Dalwai’s Defense
Dalwai clarified:
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He does not justify violence in any form
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His remarks were a call for introspection
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He stands by concerns about Kashmir’s political landscape
However, the clarification did little to cool the political temperature.
The Kashmir Factor: A Region Caught Between Fear and Fatigue
Every major terror incident in India inevitably draws attention to Kashmir—its grievances, its troubled history, and its tense political present.
The questioning of thousands of Kashmiris nationwide, including in Faridabad, triggered emotional responses from families back home. Many parents were worried, asking their children to avoid unnecessary travel or conversation.
For students striving to build careers, moments like these deepen the feeling of being “permanent suspects,” a phrase echoed across several ground narratives after past episodes.
Social Media Reaction
Kashmir-based users expressed:
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anger at mass profiling
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fear for students away from home
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calls for transparency
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criticism of political statements that could inflame communal tensions
Nationally, however, many voices argued that the investigation’s scale is justified given the severity of the attack.
Investigative Techniques: How the Probe Is Unfolding
The joint teams of Faridabad Police, NIA, and other agencies relied on:
1. CCTV Surveillance
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13,000+ clips from highways, markets, metro stations, campuses
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Vehicle movement pattern tracing
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Facial recognition matches
2. Digital Forensics
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IP logs, phone metadata, encrypted chats
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Cloud backups
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Payment app histories
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University Wi-Fi logs
3. Academic Ecosystem Mapping
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Hostel registries
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Attendance sheets
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Lab access records
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Faculty-student interactions
4. Explosive Material Tracing
The earlier recovery of nearly 3,000 kg of explosives in Faridabad intensified scrutiny into:
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transport routes
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storage locations
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chemical sourcing
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possible interstate connections
5. Human Intelligence
Questioning of:
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students
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tenants
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landlords
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campus employees
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local shopkeepers
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digital service providers
Investigators emphasize that most individuals questioned are not suspects—they are potential sources of information.
Media Narratives: How the Story Is Being Framed
Indian media coverage has split into three broad narratives:
1. Security-Focused Outlets
Emphasize:
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scale of the terror module
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importance of investigative intensity
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need for national unity
2. Rights-Focused Reporting
Highlight:
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fear among Kashmiri students
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concerns about profiling
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need for legal safeguards
3. Politically Oriented Coverage
Amplifies:
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Dalwai’s remarks
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BJP’s counterattack
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Congress’s internal dilemma
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Kashmir’s political discourse
This diversity reflects India’s pluralistic media environment—but also exposes deep political divisions.
The RSS Angle: A Political Flashpoint
Dalwai’s remarks about probing the RSS injected the issue with a combustible political charge.
Why RSS Became Central
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RSS is the ideological parent of the BJP.
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Calling it a terror-linked organization is a serious allegation.
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BJP leaders interpret it as an attack on nationalism itself.
Congress leadership has not explicitly endorsed Dalwai’s statement, but neither has it completely distanced itself, creating ambiguity that fuels further debate.
From an analytical standpoint, such allegations—without formal evidence—are risky and often become political misfires. They polarize discourse and distract from the core investigation.
Politicization of Terror: A Recurring Indian Pattern
The Delhi blast case underscores a recurring trend in India:
Whenever a terror incident occurs,
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security agencies focus on evidence,
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political parties focus on narratives,
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media focuses on ratings,
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public conversation focuses on emotion.
The result is a fractured national dialogue where clarity is lost amid competing accusations.
Historical Precedents
Past cases—Mumbai 2006, Delhi 2011, Hyderabad blasts, Pulwama 2019—show a similar pattern:
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blame games
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election-time debates
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communal tensions
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student panic
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diplomatic angles
The Delhi blast fits into this larger historical trajectory.
Institutional Reputation: Al-Falah University Under Scrutiny
Given the suspected bomber’s affiliation with the university, Al-Falah now finds itself in an uncomfortable spotlight.
Key questions being asked:
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Were campus resources misused?
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Was radicalization happening within the student ecosystem?
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Are there vulnerabilities in campus surveillance?
University authorities have reportedly cooperated fully with investigators, providing access to records and digital logs.
They maintain that no institution can be held responsible for the actions of individuals unless direct complicity is established.
This episode, however, could have long-term implications on admissions, perception, and student recruitment.
Inter-State Security Coordination: The Bigger Picture
The Delhi blast has highlighted the increasing need for cross-state cooperation in:
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data sharing
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student monitoring frameworks
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hostel regulation
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tenant verification
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background checks in educational hubs
Urban centers like Delhi-NCR are magnets for students, and their rapidly expanding student populations often outpace local verification systems.
Emotional Toll on Kashmiri Students
Beyond the investigation, the human cost is significant.
Recurring Themes in Student Narratives
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“We feel like outsiders.”
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“Every time there is an incident, we fear being targeted.”
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“Our parents panic at every phone call.”
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“We just want to study, not get drawn into politics.”
For many, the questioning is a reminder that their identity is entangled with broader geopolitical tensions.
National Security vs Civil Liberties: The Unresolved Dilemma
India, like many democracies, grapples with a delicate balance:
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How far should the State go in questioning citizens?
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When does preventive investigation become profiling?
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How to ensure fairness without compromising safety?
There are no easy answers.
The Delhi blast investigation evokes ethical and legal debates about:
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the scale of questioning
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rights of students
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community sensitivities
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transparency in investigations
Civil liberties groups demand oversight; security agencies insist on operational freedom.
Both positions carry legitimate concerns.
Election Season and the Debate on Timing
Dalwai’s remarks about “timing of blasts during elections” touch upon a sensitive and often politicized topic in India.
Historically, some terror events have occurred near elections—but linking these patterns requires evidence, not speculation.
Nevertheless, such statements tap into public scepticism and become fodder for political rhetoric.
The BJP’s response was swift and aggressive, framing Dalwai’s comments as irresponsible and dangerous.
The Road Ahead: What We Know, What We Don’t
What We Know
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Over 2,000 Kashmiris in Faridabad were questioned.
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CCTV and digital footprints point to a network.
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An alleged suicide bomber has been identified.
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Explosives were recovered in earlier sweeps.
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Political tensions are high.
What We Don’t Know
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The complete membership of the module.
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Exact motivations of the accused.
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International or inter-state links.
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Whether further arrests will take place.
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Final forensic conclusions.
Investigations of this scale often take weeks, if not months.
Possible Implications for Kashmir, Students, and National Politics
1. Kashmir
The incident may:
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increase security monitoring
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intensify scrutiny of students outside Kashmir
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deepen mistrust between civilians and institutions
2. Students
Potential consequences:
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stricter hostel regulations
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more frequent police verifications
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psychological pressure
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possible discrimination
3. National Politics
Expect:
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continued polarisation
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BJP using Dalwai remarks as political ammunition
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Congress managing internal contradictions
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Kashmir becoming a campaign issue yet again
4. National Security Framework
Likely reforms:
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enhanced inter-state coordination
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deeper surveillance of academic hubs
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revamped cyber-monitoring units
Bottom-Line: A Moment That Reflects India’s Complex Realities
The Delhi Red Fort blast is not just a security incident—it is a window into the layered challenges India faces today:
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Counter-terror operations in a digitally complex age
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Deep-seated political divisions
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Fragile trust between communities and the State
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Emotional burden on students caught in the crossfire
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Ethical dilemmas for institutions and intelligence agencies
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Media narratives shaping public perception
The questioning of over 2,000 Kashmiri students underscores the scale of the investigation, but it also reveals the social tension that follows every major security incident.
Husain Dalwai’s remarks added political volatility to an already sensitive atmosphere, pushing the narrative into polarizing territory.
As investigators move closer to unravelling the network behind the blast, the country waits—not only for answers, but also for reassurance that justice will be delivered without compromising the dignity and rights of ordinary citizens.
In a democracy as large and diverse as India, maintaining that balance is not just a challenge—it is a responsibility.
