CHAPTER 04

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

This chapter specifically incorporates the data collection procedures, the analytical strategies
adopted for carrying out the research and the data analyzed.

DATA COLLECTION:

The data collected for carrying out this research study is basically the editorials of the
newspapers. 50 editorials were selected. 25 from Pakistani and 25 from Indian print media.
Newspaper with highest readership were selected and those which were accessible to the
researcher. Dawn, The Nation, The Express Tribune were selected from Pakistan. 8 editorials
from Dawn, 8 from The Nation and 9 from The express tribune were chosen randomly. From
Indian side, The Hindu, The Times of India and The Economic times were chosen. 8 editorials
from The Hindu, 8 from The Times of India and 9 from the Economic Times were chosen. Time
span of the published editorials was between February 2019 to March 2019. The editorials were
chosen randomly to ensure the greater generalizability and for ensuring the equal chances of
inclusion of the delineated ideologies within the newspaper.

After the selection and collection of data, the data was then put to inspection through the lens of
critical discourse analysis by adopting the Descriptive and Analytic approaches. The Hidden
ideologies were traced firstly by locating the lexemes and then the syntactic structures were
analysed to disseminate and to pinpoint that how they portray themselves and others in the
editorial sections. The findings of the study were elaborated in the light of Ideological Square
Model of Van Dijk.

The ideologies traced were then elaborated and were analyzed critically and instances were
provided from Pakistani and Indian side. Firstly the ideologies were pinpointed from Pakistani
editorials, then from Indian editorials and at the end a contrastive comprehensive overview was
presented in descriptive form. The findings are then unpacked and put to general audience’s
table.
DATA ANALYSIS

The features constructed specifically to delineate the ideologies in the newspapers regarding
pulwama attack’s evaluation and representation is highlighted in the data analysis section. How
the same social event is portrayed differently through the language choices to position the
readers understanding and stance is unearthed. Descriptive analysis is done firstly and then
explanation and elaboration is further lighted upon by the production leading to reception of the
hidden ideologies. The lens through which the studies will delineate the hidden implicit
ideologies in the newspaper editorials are as follows:

TRACING THE IDEOLIGIES IN PAKISTANI NEWSPAPERS EDITORIALS:

The ideologies present in the section of editorials is untraversed through this study. Pakistani
newspaper editorials are specifically analyzed in this section and the implicit ideologies at the
word, phrasal and sentence level are explored.

REPRESENTATION OF THE SOCIAL ACTORS:

Social actors are those who directly or indirectly were influenced or affected by the event. The
victims i.e. attacked vs attackers. Therefore the us group is Pakistani and Kashmiris as
Pakistani’s consider Kashmir to be an integral part to them and them is Indians in Pulwama
attack issue. Social justices are depicted as the qualifying qualities of Pakistani’s as Freedom,
justice ideals fairness, courage, faith and unity as:

“India must know that the people of Occupied Kashmir as well as Pakistan have the patience
and the will to prevail — no matter what the cost. The Indian false accusations and propaganda
are only an ‘attention diverter” ((The Tribune: pulwama attack and fingerpointing at
Pakistan)

The people holding the chairs are appreciated with broad and high words as is evident from the
instances:

There is no bigger occasion than the beckoning of war to corroborate how impossible it is to
introduce to the national discourse varieties of patriotism besides the robust model that has so far
dominated all others. In the event, all those looking to be different without necessarily
compromising national integrity must be happy with what’s available in the form of small
victories. They may have reason to be happy with the hospitality shown on our territory to a
captive soldier. They may want to celebrate the fact that while the prime minister said we will
not think but retaliate, he did indeed make a happy U-turn. He did mull over, and was cautious
with, his country’s response. (Dawn: This side of war)

Proving himself to be a statesman, Prime Minister Imran Khan announced the release of the
Indian pilot that Pakistan had captured after his plane was brought down and, in my view,
facilitated the de-escalation that sane people on both sides desire and that had been the consistent
endeavour of the major players of the international community. (Dawn:Pulwama verify the facts)

The other group is considered deviant and intolerant to the social values of the surrounding
context of us. This includes words as terrorists, Defiant hindus, intolerant etc. Others are
presented in highly implicit but negative words as:

It was quickly attributed to the Kashmiri resistance, a reaction of the freedom fighters to the
excessive and intensifying campaign by the Indian state. It was readily described as a response to
Indian forces’ actions aimed at gagging, maiming and eliminating those who had found new
energy to take on the Indian might, increasingly manifesting itself in some of the most inhumane
measures attempted since the start of the uprising in 1989. (Dawn: This side of war)

“The Pulwama attack killed nearly 50 Indian paramilitary personnel. But it was also an attack
that once again underlined the great resentment in IHK against Indian forces that routinely
humiliate, abuse and kill Kashmiris — old and young, men and women, boys and girls — with
the full approval of New Delhi. It is this frustration that must be the focal point in any debate
regarding the resolution of the long-standing Kashmir dispute” ( Dawn, The fourth Divide in
Kashmir)

Inclusive identity is presented to depict them as a collective, one unified and assimilated group
by use of generic pronouns such as us, we, our people. In terms of functionalization, also the
social actors are represented as our official, political officials, Pakistanis, local authorities,
federal state, officials and authorities like PM, ministers etc. The victimization is prevalent by
using such words. Them group is impersonalized and the readers are made not to align
themselves to the other group. Through the use of positive qualities, the others are presented as
not having them and in comparison to them, they are implicitly as well as explicitly targeted. The
religious sentiments are also implicated and Hindus extremists etc are used.

The realization has brought much confidence in what Islamabad has been saying after its
airspace was violated, amid India’s tall claims that it had inflicted huge damage on some militant
camps beyond Kashmir deep inside Pakistani territory. Many tense hours after the mysterious
Indian air raid — the details of which have been hotly contested by the Pakistan army and the
media here — this ‘fresh’ streak of self-assuredness displayed by Mr Khan culminated in his
latest addition to a series of speeches in which the ex-cricketing idol has been appreciated for
being able to communicate his message so effectively. This sense was reconfirmed by so many
who applauded the brief address, in which a man who said he was aware of the pain caused by
war offered the prospect of talks to an old adversary. (Dawn: This side of war).

Religious sentiments are also used as a tool to make people align and affiliate themselves to us
group.

The results are astounding, and depressingly show that religious hatred and sectarian politics can
be exploited to lure voters. (Dawn: After Modi;s win)

“The Kashmiris will see this as India wanting the land of Kashmir but not the people of Kashmir,
an add-on to the extremist Hindutva view that Indian Muslims really belong in Pakistan.”
(Dawn, Pulwama: verify the Facts)

GENERIC TERMS FUNCTIONAL TERMS

Us local authorities, Pakistani Foreign office

We Parliament, PM

Representation of them

Terrorists, Extremists hindus, Hindivta militant mobs

APPRAISAL OF SOCIAL ACTORS

The negative and the positive emotions prevalent throughout the histories are linked through
intertexuality. The previous successes are made headlines so as to give the satisfied views in the
history. Insecurities present in the country are also depicted as the country to be a sitting duck
and being vulnerable to attacks. Dissatisfaction is also depicted of the in-groups. Much needs to
be done, emotional reaction to attacks etc.

“And once again, there are allegations from across the border — as there have been in previous
such strikes where India’s security personnel in occupied Kashmir have been targeted — that
those who planned the attacks had links with the Pakistani state, a charge that Pakistan has
vigorously denied” (Dawn:Pulwama attack)

The others are being described as being satisfied by attacking the country. Others are portrayed
negatively as driven by blood etc. Capabilities and incapabilities are also being discussed.
Intensifiers are used to make it more effective. Amplification resources of numerals i.e. quantity
is used to make it more adaptable. Like many tremendous etc.

“To Pakistan’s credit, although it has vowed political, moral and diplomatic support for the
Kashmiris, successive governments have at least attempted to reach out to India — several times
— to engage in talks, but there has been no reciprocal gesture from Delhi, which has more often
than not jumped to its own conclusions”. (Dawn:Pulwama Attack)

Morality and ethics is also drawn into to make the rhetoric more effective. Pakistan must go into
war for its defense etc. Others are presented as uncontrollable and immoral as well as unethical.
Like wrath lashing out etc.

“Pakistan continues to believe in the path of peace. Not only is this the ethically correct stance to
take, it is also one that leads to de-escalation and perhaps a lasting solution to the issue of
Kashmir.” (The Nation: Seeking peace, not war)

REPRESENTATION OF THE EVENTS:

Nominalisation is used so as to enhance the others as unknown. Time is used so the present
refers to not being clearly able to retaliate however past is used to show the actions done and
what should be done is written in future tense. To highlight the circumstances of place, global
interest, security interest is used.
“After each such incident, the already strained ties between the two countries take a further hit,
this time with Delhi vowing to work for “the complete isolation ... of Pakistan” from the
international community, while withdrawing the MFN status for Pakistan” ( Dawn: Pulwama
Attack)

“Both countries have summoned each other’s envoys — India, to protest against what it sees as
Pakistan’s ‘role’ in the attack, and Pakistan to refute India’s unproven allegations”. (Dawn:
Pulwama Attack)

These international reactions must wake India up to the fact that it cannot espouse violence or
unchecked nationalism against Pakistan with impunity The nation:Hard Facts for India

APPRAISAL OF THE EVENTS:

Engagement resources particularly the modality is used to refer to obligation and probability.
Strong modals are used to add force to the claims like must etc. Certain expectations are
expressed through the usage of weaker modals like could.

“In the event, all those looking to be different without necessarily compromising national
integrity must be happy with what’s available in the form of small victories. They may have
reason to be happy with the hospitality shown on our territory to a captive soldier. They may
want to celebrate the fact that while the prime minister said we will not think but retaliate.”
(Dawn: This side of War)

“Much would depend on a change in attitude on the part of India, whose hawkish behaviour has
been the main obstruction in the quest for peace. The optimism might not be altogether
misplaced but it must be followed by a sincere policy shift.” ( Dawn; After Modi’s Win)

THEME AND RHEME:

The theme and the rheme present are really unbalanced. The theme is highly topical and mostly
interpersonal in some cases. The rheme is however unbalanced and unequally long as compared
to the clauses in the rheme patterns of the sentences under investigation.

“. While relations between Pakistan and India had been hostile for some time, the Pulwama
attack, which India alleges with little evidence that Pakistan is responsible for, exacerbated
tensions to an alarming degree- so much so that calls for war were echoed in Indian media the
past few days, Kashmiri citizens were out rightly discriminated and threatened violence against,
and just yesterday a Pakistani national in Jaipur jail was beaten to death just for his nationality.”

(The Nation: Hard Facts for India)

“Unfortunately, this has become a never-ending cycle of blame games, rebuttals and denials —
with no joint engagement to understand the cause of the violence.” (Dawn: Pulwama Attack)

WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS USED FOR THE ATTACKERS.

The them group is being recalled and called by strong negative words. The attackers i.e. the man
who hit the vehicle and the association that he had with JEM, and Indians are used with words
and expressions as:

“Over 40 Indian paramilitary troops were killed in the attack, which has been claimed by the
Jaish-e-Mohammad, a proscribed organisation.” (Dawn: Pulwama Attack)

“Lethal suicide attacks will only intensify unless Indian security forces cease their atrocities
such as blinding Kashmiri youth with pellets and forced disappearances” (The Tribune:
pulwama attack and fingerpointing at Pakistan)

India needs to look to its own blood stained hands, and investigate the incident thoroughly before
pointing fingers at Pakistan for political mileage. (The nation: Selling hatred)

“State oppression and terrorism has been the name of the game in occupied Kashmir and when
one young man rises up to blunt that state oppression being perpetrated on the people of his
community in the Indian state doesn’t look inward at its mistakes and follies but outward and
at its neighbor.” (The Tribune: The Pulwama Attack and Fingerpointing at Pakistan”

“February 14 pulverised Pulwama as a suicide bomber, Adil Ahmed Dar, a local citizen from
Pulwama and not some “foreign militant”, previously humiliated by Indian forces, armed with
a vehicle-based improvised explosive device (VBIED) and 350kgs of local Indian explosives
heinously blew up a convoy with 44 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel to
smithereens.” (The Tribune: After the Pulwama)
storm troopers of Hindutva (Dawn: War Rhetoric & Reality)

WORDS USED FOR VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS

Victims i.e. Us group is made to make people align themselves with. Those who are killed,
sympathies are extended. The victim’s card is used to mould the stances and the standpoints of
the audiences as

“Armed with a vehicle-based improvised explosive device (VBIED) and 350kgs of local
Indian explosives heinously blew up a convoy with 44 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)
personnel to smithereens.” (The Tribune: After the Pulwama)

“The Pulwama attack killed nearly 50 Indian paramilitary personnel.” (Dawn: The Divide over
Kashmir)

SYNTACTIC AGENTS THEM AS SUBJECT

Initial position and the grammatical subject is being made the agency responsible for the action.
The out group is usually brought fore for emphasizing the agency responsible of the act. Indians
are made the syntactic agents of the carnage so as to make them responsible for atrocious acts in
response to Pulwama attack in Pakistani editorials.

“ India will have to shed its rigidity and recognise that Kashmir is indeed a disputed territory —
a reality the international community affirms” (Dawn: Pulwama attack)

“Pulwama was a tragedy but it should be seen not as JeM terrorism; rather it is a stark indicator
of the total alienation of the Kashmiri people not just with the Indian occupation forces but with
India itself. Recent attacks on Kashmiris in mainland India suggest an equal alienation of the
Indians with Kashmiris” (Dawn: pulwama, Verify the facts)

“FOR the world’s largest democracy, the writing is on the wall: communal politics in India has
triumphed in an age that will define the future of the republic” (Dawn: After Modi’s Win)

“For many years now, India’s increasingly strong-arm, brutal tactics in IHK have alienated the
local population who have had no need of outside help to vent their anger and frustration. Young
Kashmiris are taking up the gun and attacking symbols of the Indian establishment”
Dawn:Pulwama Attack)

Much would depend on a change in attitude on the part of India, whose hawkish behaviour has
been the main obstruction in the quest for peace (Dawn:After Modi’s Win)

PASSIVATION US AS OBJECT

It is also one of the characteristics of the Pakistani editorials that the Us group i.e. Pakistani’s are
made the object of the syntactic structure. Agentless mode is used for the depiction of Us group
in the Pakistani newspaper editorials.

. It is quite commendable to see that despite being showered with threats of total annihilation,
economic ruin and diplomatic isolation, Pakistan continues to believe in the path of peace. Not
only is this the ethically correct stance to take, it is also one that leads to de-escalation and
perhaps a lasting solution to the issue of Kashmir (The nation: Seeking peace not war)

India needs to adopt a new political narrative which does not encourage hate speech against
Pakistan. After the attack, the Indian media has been contemplating war against Pakistan or
aggression of some form in the least. Such measures will not go unanswered from the Pakistani
side and it is definitely not a move that both countries can afford at this point (The nation:
Response to india).

“Pakistan has pledged to help India if credible evidence is provided of Pakistan’s involvement in
the incident. If anyone in Pakistan is proven guilty, PM Khan has promised to take action
because he rightfully pointed out that carrying out extremist agendas is against the national
interest of Pakistan” (The Nation: Response to India)

“If there is solid evidence that non-state actors used this country’s soil to target others, then the
Indians must provide it and Pakistan must conduct investigations” (Dawn: Pulwama attack)

IDEOLOGICAL INSECURITY

Ideological representation of insecurity is also highlighted by emphasizing at the aggravating

situation. Internal disorder and fear is being pinpointed as being prevalent in the groups. The
topic of the insecurity is dealt with as like two nukes country being on verge of war and fourth
generation hybrid as well as ammunition war being on the cards. The insurmountable psychotic
implication through the use of words and phrases is being as the war zone.

“Suggestion of holding a joint session of parliament on one-point agenda by opposition parties

amid Pakistani political parties differences on multiple issues truly reflects the ‘Whole of a
Nation’ response, substantially enough for any aggressor to stay away from military
misadventure” (The tribune: a responsible state, pakistan’s post pulwama behavior”

“Unlike India, where the morale of people appeared to be low, things are different in Pakistan
because of wise and prudent handling of matters by the military, the government, political
parties and other stakeholders” (The Tribune: post pulwama and Balakot)

In India’s case, Hindutva ideologues have infiltrated all levels of the state machinery; this has
resulted in an increasingly rigid attitude towards Pakistan. Moreover, the Indian military’s brutal
tactics in occupied Kashmir have fired up Kashmiri resistance, with the region’s disillusioned
youth convinced that only armed struggle against India will help them secure their rights. But it
is also true that Pakistan can take steps to send positive signals across the border (Dawn: War
Rhetoric & Reality)

India has revoked Pakistan’s “most favoured nation” status, which eased trade regulations
between the two countries- indeed sentiment in India have been so vociferously anti-Pakistani
that talk of war has emerged on some conversations in Indian media. The nation: Selling Hatred

Pakistan is always willing to lend its expertise in the investigation, if India does not have the
necessary capability; although it should be noted that India has failed to assist Pakistan in similar
investigations when Kulbhushan Jadhav had been caught planning terrorist activities The nation:
Selling Hatred

This has left Mr Modi doubly exposed. He is guilty of trying to pass India-held Kashmir’s
indigenous struggle as some kind of foreign phenomenon, and he has been exposed trying to
opportunistically raise the spectre of war in an effort to secure a general election. And, as the two
conditions complement each other, there clearly emerges a case for Prime Minister Imran Khan’s
government to expect to be backed by the world at large as it counters the Indian argument that
Pulwama was a demon of Pakistan’s making. Dawn: This side of war
LEXEMES AND PHRASES

Binary oppositional markedness is also being explained through this study. Conditional
restoration of security as offering is also being presented. Them, is most evidently used.

“atrocities unleashed by the Indian military machine” (Dawn: Pulwama attack)

staunchest proponents of resolving problems through violent means (Dawn: This side of war)

Indian media and administration launched a hate-mongering campaign against Pakistan. (The
nation: Selling hatred)

a death valley drenched in eternal blood (The Tribune: After Pulwama)

Hindutva militant mobs VHP and Bajrang Dal activists yearning for “pounds of flesh (The
Tribune: After Pulwama)

“Inflammatory rhetoric may remain part of the election campaign in India for another few
months but, hopefully, it will not be allowed to get out of hand and will not provoke similar
rhetoric in Pakistan” (Dawn: Pulwama, Verify the Facts)

POLARIZATION PATTERNS

The weak vs. powerful patterns are being presented. Readiness of the government and the
retaliation to the attacks are being presented in a highly connotated view. To make the elected
government rise up to the demand of the time, these polarization patterns are used so as to make
them more interested. Polarization patterns are used in discursive power relations.

“There has always been a counter-analysis that highlights the dangers of a party resorting to
jingoism to prop up its electoral chances, and instances where applying techniques designed to
create hysteria has been counterproductive. Sometimes, rival politicians are able to benefit in a
big way from subscribing to anti-war sentiments, which are present in large pockets despite the
so-called dominant pro-war trend” (Dawn: This Side of War)

“We have seen this use of divisive rhetoric to cultivate fear among the masses against the
“other”, either in order to justify going to war, or as a tactic by right-wing parties to win
elections. Hatred sells and it has its best sales after a terrorist attack, when people’s emotions are
high and vulnerable to exploitation” (The Nation: Selling Hatred)

“This country has had its dark moments, with the whole world breathing heavily down its neck
accusing it of covert and open support of terrorism. It was a good feeling that, this time around,
so many of the indicators point in the direction of the other party as the culprit”. (Dawn: This
side of war)

“The equilibrium between economic and military prowess may be numerically skewed in favour
of India, but the balance of powers still makes successful military offensives impossible – for
either side” (The Nation: Seeking Peace not War)

ANALYSIS OF HEADLINES: TOPICS & LEXICAL CHOICES

The topicalized headlines present in the discourses are of great importance as they give a gist of
what is holding in the whole text. They are a powerful tool to summarize the text in the
editorials. The mental images of the in lived society are being reflected and the choice of words
makes the connotated as well the denotated meanings more significant.

This side of war, Pulwama Attack, Pulwama verify the facts, The divide over Kashmir, After
Modi’s win, War rhetoric and reality, Selling hatred, Response to india, Hard facts for india,
Seeking peace not war, Cost of war, Indian Double standard, After pulwama,Pulwama attack
and finger pointing at Pakistan, Modi back in the game, A responsible state: Pakistan’s post-
Pulwama behavior.

All the headlines present are of highly responsible writings. No polarization is there. The
headlines are usually of saner and more moderate words.

THEMATIC PATTERNS

Themes associated with an incident are well portrayed through the lexemes used. Manipulation
of the audience to the content of text is done through the thematic analysis.

“THERE is no greater chill in this world than that provided by the prospect of war. We tend to
forget this as we go about fighting the little battles of ordinary life — until war returns to mock
us, with all kinds of extreme scenarios and never-to-be-fully-proven details about the winners
and the vanquished” (Dawn: This Side of war)

NOMINALIZATION:

Noun phrases over verb phrases are used frequently to charge it ideologically. Preferred mode of
thinking towards an event is set by nominalization. To enlarge the accomplishments usually the
nominalization technique is used.

In the aftermath of the Pulwama incident, shrill lobbies on both sides of the border have started
beating the drums of war. Particularly jarring are the armchair warriors of the media —
especially on the Indian side — baying for the blood of the ‘other’ (Dawn: War rhetoric &
Reality)

“The sum of these pockets should be able to often play a decisive role in keeping a war-happy
leader out of power. (Dawn: This Side of War)

“The Kashmiris will see this as India wanting the land of Kashmir but not the people of
Kashmir” (Dawn: Pulwama, verifying the facts)

“The Pulwama attack, where Indian paramilitaries were killed in a suicide car bombing, is a bold
act of violence” (The Nation: selling Hatred)

“The United Nations, for example, expressed deep concern “at the increase in tensions between
India and Pakistan.” (The Nation: Hard Facts for India)

“The Indian government blaming Pakistan for the tragic Pulwama debacle is an age-old sinister
scapegoat tactic” (The Tribune: After the Pulwama Attack)

VOICE

The voice present in the editorials is mostly of threat and war. The pathos and ethos is used
effectively to make the audiences stance molded.

“It is certainly true, as a perusal of the JeM publications after Feb 19 shows, that they claimed
credit but this is exactly what Al Qaeda and the militant Islamic State group and other terrorist
organisations repeatedly did when attacks were carried out in their name. They even claimed
attacks that had not been explicitly associated with them” (Dawn: pulwama, Verify the Facts)

“India’s Prime Minister Modi has warned Pakistan it will pay a “heavy price” for a suicide
bombing in Kashmir and India’s finance minister said that all diplomatic measures would be
taken to isolate Pakistan.” (The Nation: selling hatred)

“Brutality will only beget more violence. It is only through the path of negotiations involving
Pakistan, India and the Kashmiris that the stand-off can be resolved” (Dawn: Pulwama attack)

“The aftermath of Pulwama is already witnessed by an alarming rise in violent anti-Muslim

sentiment in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) and across India. Hindutva militant mobs VHP
and Bajrang Dal activists yearning for “pounds of flesh” violently attacked Muslim Kashmiris,
burning Muslims’ cars to ashes and vandalising property in Prem Nagar, Pacca Danga, Rehari,
Gummat, Narwal, Janipur, Gujjar Nagar as the local police impotently watched the spectacle as
mute spectators” (The Tribune: After Palwama)

The resulting emotion in that divisive moment grips the public in both countries, drowning out
the voices for peace, and war hysteria continues to escalate. (Dawn:The divide over Kashmir)

US vs THEM IN INDIAN EDITORIALS:

The implicit ideologies present in the print media editorials of India are unpacked through this
study. In this particular section, the us vs them representation is undig and the stance of India
over Pakistan and Kashmir are explicitly stated as:

“Their political leadership should also send out a strict advisory, asking such outfits to stop
acting out the script written for them by the Pakistan-based terrorists and their political backers”
(Economic Times: Time for unity, stop sectarian attacks)

“However, if the terrorists have acted from an updated playbook, New Delhi’s response must not
play into their plans with reflexive and precipitate official action. India has withdrawn the Most
Favoured Nation status to Pakistan a signal that it will not wait for preliminaries in the effort to
isolate Pakistan” (The Hindu: terrible Thursday, On Pulwama terror attack)
REPRESENTATION OF THE SOCIAL ACTORS:

In the editorials texts of Indian print media, the social actors i.e. the government of Pakistan as
well as of india are identified and commented upon as:

“The significant achievement of the air strike within Pakistan carried out on February 26, in
response to the terror attack at Pulwama on February 14, is that India has finally called
Islamabad’s nuclear bluff” (The Economic Times: grain and chaffs in Balakot)

“India has hit back at Pakistan for the terror attack at Pulwama that killed more than 40 Indian
paramilitary personnel. India’s air strike within Pakistani territory took out a terror training camp
by Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), the outfit that had organised the Pulwama strike 12 days before”
(Economic Times: counterstrike, responsive and responsible)

“Thus the fingerprints of JeM, a primarily Pakistani outfit sheltered by and receiving safe haven
in Pakistan, are all over the attack. There are now reports that a top JeM commander and an
Afghan war veteran was specifically sent to Kashmir from Pakistan to organize the attack”
(The Times of India: after pulwama)

APPRAISAL OF THE SOCIAL ACTORS

The glory that the nation holds, after or before going to a war is a time of great interest. The
morale is made high and everything is appreciated so as to give them a sense of full support.

India must always act true to its civilisational genius for accepting and celebrating, rather than
merely tolerating, diversity. It is this tradition that found articulation in India’s Constitution as a
concept of citizenship that is not based on religion or ethnicity. And it is precisely this
constitutional value that most irks Pakistan, which was founded on the basis of religion but soon
split into two as religious identity proved insufficient to contain the conflict over attempted
linguistic/ethnic domination of East Pakistan by West Pakistan. (Economic Times: Time for
unity, stop sectarian attacks)

“India has secured the upper hand in the present hostile engagement with Pakistan. A UN
resolution to sanction Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar would reinforce that
position. At the moment, it is to India’s advantage to keep the option of using force open in case
of future transgression, while de-escalating the present confrontation” (Economic Times: well
come home wingcommander Abhinandan)

“Surely, there may be differences of opinion on how to tackle Pakistan-sponsored terrorism —

even as the joint resolution of the all-party meet did not mention Pakistan overtly in its
condemnation. Which is precisely why home minister Rajnath Singh called for different voices.
But as to the intent and purpose of tackling terrorism against the Indian nation, the political
response should be one. And as it has been.” (Economic Times: One voice, one deposit to
Terrorism)

“The pre-emptive Indian Air Force strikes in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir that have
hit camps of Jaish-e-Mohammed and other terror outfits will send a strong message to our
unfriendly neighbour. After the dastardly Pulwama attack that killed over 40 CRPF jawans,
Pakistan had tested India’s patience by doing nothing to dismantle ISI’s terror infrastructure”
(The Times of India: Surgical strike 2.0)

REPRESENTATION OF THE EVENTS:

The attack that was held in Kashmir and India held Pakistan responsible for the attack. The
words used for Pakistani print media is as

“India has conclusively gained the upper hand in its move to punish Pakistan for harbouring the
terrorists who killed 42 Indian security personnel at Pulwama on February 14. The world is
putting pressure on Islamabad and putting it on the defensive, and Pakistan has chosen to
unconditionally release the Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot it had captured on Wednesday. India
would reinforce its superior hand by choosing to de-escalate, even while reserving the right to
take penal action in case of further aggression by Pakistan through non-State actors or otherwise”
(The Economic Times: with upper hand india holds the key)

“There may be similarities to what happened this Wednesday morning, when Wg Cdr
Abhinandan Varthaman’s ageing Mig-21 Bison crossed the LoC to retain lock-in on an intruding
Pakistani F16 – a fourth generation fighter – fired but was brought down himself. A Mig-21
taking on an F16 has been likened to a Maruti 800 taking on a BMW. Reports suggest the F16
was brought down too – a feat likely to go down in the history books. On landing in Pakistan
controlled territory Varthaman was beaten, bloodied, shot in the leg, tied and blindfolded – but a
Pakistani propaganda video released thereafter shows him maintaining himself with exemplary
decorum. Not surprisingly, he came home to a hero’s welcome” (The Times of India:
Abhinandan returns)
APPRAISAL OF THE EVENTS:

The event around which the whole story is fabricated is made the focal point and the blame game
is high on in there as:

“The closure of airports shows readiness to punish any further provocation by Islamabad. But if
the Pakistani generals do not seek to aggravate matters further, India should savour its success
and do little more. Pakistan now knows that its nuclear shield will not protect it when it sends
non-State actors across the border to wreak havoc” ( Economic Times: Let Pak pantomime….)

“On November 27, 2008, Tukaram Omble – assistant sub-inspector of Mumbai police – charged
at Ajmal Kasab armed only with a lathi, took five shots but nevertheless wrestled Kasab down,
enabling his capture. Omble succumbed to his wounds, but Kasab went on to spill the secrets of
how their murderous mission was closely directed from a LeT control room in Karachi, Pakistan.
The world came to know who was behind 26/11 – thanks to Omble’s bravery” (The Times of
India: Abhinandan Returns)

THEME AND RHEME

Unbalanced and intrapersonal theme and rheme. Rheme is comparatively longer with lots of
strong negatively connotated words as:

“Although Islamabad had spoken in the past of its abilities with “tactical nuclear devices”, there
was no such mobilisation after India’s strikes. On the other hand, Pakistan was able to, with its
aerial response, also indicate that it was not without non-nuclear options. Finally, indications that
the international community was involved in effecting a breakthrough are clear” ( The Hindu: the
week after, indo pak relations)
WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS USED FOR THE ATTACKERS

The words being used for the attackers are mostly vehemently explicit and the attackers are
penned down as the dastard, coward.

“There has been considerable diplomatic activity by the world’s powers to force Islamabad to
take action against the terror outfits festering in Pakistan and specifically to ban the Jaish-e-
Mohammed, the outfit that owned responsibility for the Pulwama outrage” (Economic times:
with upper hand India Holds the key)

“Make no mistake, the real target of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and other such groups is India’s
political cohesion; the victims of their attacks, whether security personnel or civilians, are only
means to that end. Those who seek to vent their anger at the terror strike by forming hostile
groups that attack other groups, such as Kashmiris, serve the cause of the terrorists and harm that
of India” (Economic Times: Time for unity, stop sectarian attacks)

“. There is no question that Pakistan bears the onus to explain why Masood Azhar, the leader of
the Jaish-e-Mohammed, enjoys such freedoms on its territory, if not outright support from the
establishment. Certainly, diplomatic backing by Pakistan and China has been crucial in defeating
efforts at the United Nations to put Azhar on the list of banned terrorists” (The Hindu: Terrible
Thursday.)

WORDS USED FOR VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS

The victims and the survivors are made the objects of petty and are made to receive sympathies
as:

“ Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman won hearts with his destruction of documents on
his person that might reveal information of interest to the enemy, and subsequent conduct as a
dignified, restrained prisoner of war, demanding and receiving civilised treatment at the hands of
his captors” (Economic Times: Well come Home, Wing commander Abhinandan)

“India has hit back at Pakistan for the terror attack at Pulwama that killed more than 40 Indian
paramilitary personnel” (Economic Times: Responsive, Responsible)
“. Significantly, it came a week after the February 14 Pulwama attack, and the global terror
finance watchdog condemned, in no uncertain terms, the suicide bombing of the CRPF convoy
that left 40 personnel dead.” (The Hindu: Terror Time line, On FATF Advisory to Pakistan)

SYNTACTIC AGENTS THEM AS SUBJECT

Them is used in subject position so as to make them i.e. Pakistan responsible for the atrocious act
and for funding and harboring the Terrorists:

Pakistan is releasing him, said Pakistan PM Imran Khan, as a gesture of peace. Such grace being
a rare commodity, especially on Pakistan’s part, his swift release speaks of the immense pressure
on Pakistan, both from India ending Pakistan’s nuclear blackmail and from the global communit.
(Economic times: welcome home wing commander abhinandan.)

“Pakistan now knows that its nuclear shield will not protect it when it sends non-State actors
across the border to wreak havoc. If they choose to not learn their lesson, then it would be right
to strike again. Enough has been done to secure India’s interests for now.” (Economic Times:
Let Pak pantomime…)

“. Their political leadership should also send out a strict advisory, asking such outfits to stop
acting out the script written for them by the Pakistan-based terrorists and their political backers.”
(Economic Times: Time for Unity, stop sectarian attacks)

“Pakistan must realise that the time for denial and obfuscation is over. Unless it begins to act on
India’s and the world community’s concerns about Pakistan-based terror safe havens in a time-
bound manner, the two nations could be back on the brink of war if there is another trigger”
(The Hindu: Coming Home, On the Release of…)

PASSIVATION US AS OBJECT

Passive voice is used for us so to gain sympathy and to be more vulnerable and innocent to the
attack.
“Be it surgical strikes carried out by the army or the acquisition of defence equipment, defence
of this nation is far too important a matter to be used for boosterism, seeking votes, point scoring
and political one-upmanship” (The Times of India: After Pulwama)

“What actionable intelligence is Khan talking about? Despite voluminous dossiers being
provided to Pakistan in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, no meaningful action was taken by that
country. Then in the Pathankot airbase attack in 2016, a Pakistani investigative team had even
come for inspection. Yet no effort was made by Pakistan to act against the terror masterminds”
(Times of India: The Puppet speaks..)

“. Can Pakistan dare to attack India in retaliation for violating its airspace, which affront it
admits to? Right now, its choices are bleak” (Economic Times: counter strike, responsive and
responsible)

IDEOLOGICAL INSECURITY

Ideological stands, global security and the current scenario of the country is made to be written
down to make the attack and rhetoric more effective.

“To admit that is not just to accept the reality of an Indian attack deep within its territory but also
to accept that a terrorist training camp was underway in Pakistan. The presence of such a camp
yields either of two unacceptable inferences: that Pakistan is a state sponsor of terror, or that the
Pakistani State has no control of what goes on in its territory” (Economic Times: counter strike)

“India will need to redouble its focus on measures to isolate Pakistan in the international
community. Government has already revoked Pakistan’s most favoured nation status. But the
real challenge here is Beijing’s diplomatic and military support for Islamabad. For its diplomatic
campaign to succeed New Delhi will have to pressure Beijing, which should as a first step lift its
veto on UN action against Azhar” (Times of India: After Pulwama)

“War is a serious matter with potential for untold misery and economic loss. To use talk of it to
quench the bloodthirst of TV studio warriors is profane, on par with partisan politicking with the
martyrdom of our soldiers” (Economic Times: Grain and Chaff…)
India has emerged from Pakistan’s nuclear blackmail, and made it clear that it is capable of and
will deliver conventional punishment if necessary. Having made that point emphatically, India
will press its moral case before the global community further by choosing peace at the current
moment (Economic times: With upper hands, india holds the key)
LEXEMES AND PHRASES

Words and phrases are used. Negative and strong connotations associated with the words are
being put to tackle the issue and to demoralize the others.

Pakistan has chosen to protect its honour with symbolic acts and a war of words (Economic
times: Let Pak Pantomime Not Turn Cool Heads)

Pakistan-sponsored terrorism (Economic times: One Voice, One Riposte to Terrorism)

It makes sense for Pakistan to play the responsible power, indulging its neighbour’s election-eve
grandstanding, rather than risk economic collapse with an actual war. (Economic times:
Counterstrike: Responsive & responsible)

POLARIZATION PATTERNS

To make the rhetoric more us sided, polarization is used to invoke the nationalistic and patriotic
sentiments so as to make them stand and dance to the tunes.

That India had to act in response to Pulwama, in one form or another, was a given. That it has
used a calibrated response — ‘overkill’ being the usual demand from quarters that have little
stake and no idea in security matters — is to be applauded. Balakot is unlikely to herald the end
of Pakistani-sponsored terror. But it certainly is a new start to India’s handling of. (Economic
times: Counterstrike: Responsive & responsible)

By disdaining to fudge violation of Pakistan’s air space by Indian aircraft but, at the same time,
characterising the strike as non-military, India has both made a forceful statement of the intent to
use force to defend its interests and put the onus on Pakistan for any escalation. This makes the
counter-attack both measured and appropriate. (Economic times: Counterstrike: Responsive &
responsible)
India’s strategic goal in sending warplanes across the line of control to strike a Jaish-e-
Mohammed training camp for terrorists was threefold: destroy the camp, send a clear message to
Islamabad and the world community that India will use force to defend its interests and put an
end to Pakistan’s nuclear blackmail. (Economic times: Let Pak Pantomime Not Turn Cool
Heads)

Pakistan claims to have mounted a daring ride across the Line of Control (LoC) into India and
bombed empty land, just to demonstrate its readiness and capacity to defend itself . (Economic
times: Let Pak Pantomime Not Turn Cool Heads)

It also said that it seeks no further escalation. If Pakistan wants to substitute an imaginary war of
words for a real battle that it is guaranteed to lose, essentially to apply salve on the wounds of
mortification inflicted by India’s early morning strike within its territory, India can indulge this
wish. (Economic times: Let Pak Pantomime Not Turn Cool Heads)

ANALYSIS OF HEADLINES: TOPICS & LEXICAL CHOICES

Headlines with the lexical choices being most dominant and negative are used so a kind of
frustration is written down in form of lexical choices made to preserve the attack as:

Welcome Home, Wing Commander Abhinandan, With upper hand, India holds the key,

Let Pak Pantomime Not Turn Cool Heads, Time for unity, stop sectarian attacks,

One Voice, One Riposte to Terrorism, Grain and chaff in Balakot strikes,

Counterstrike: Responsive & responsible.

THEMATIC PATTERNS

The body starts with general intro and then the war mongering is put and emphasezied again and
again and the same theme runs throughout the editorials.

India has secured the upper hand in the present hostile engagement with Pakistan. A UN
resolution to sanction Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar would reinforce that
position. At the moment, it is to India’s advantage to keep the option of using force open in case
of future transgression, while de-escalating the present confrontation. (Economic times:
Welcome home wing commander abhinandan)

NOMINALIZATION:

Noun phrases are preferred and the words are highly vocal and true reflective of the feelings of
their nation:

Unless it begins to act on India’s and the world community’s concerns about Pakistan-based
terror safe havens in a time-bound manner, the two nations could be back on the brink of war if
there is another trigger. (The hindu: Coming home: on the release of Indian pilot Wg. Cdr.
Abhinandan)

Pakistan if it wants to be out of the “grey list” of countries posing a “risk to the international
system”. Pakistan has been on the grey list since June 2018, and will be required to show
compliance or face being “black-listed” by the session in October 2019. (The hindu: Terror
timeline: on FATF advisory to Pakistan)

All this points to impunity and reflects the failure of world nations to call Pakistan’s bluff on its
patronage for terror groups. Those eager to commit funds to Pakistan’s developmental needs
must pause to consider where their money is going. (Times of india: Pakistan army lies about
JeM — world should call its bluff)
VOICE

The voice is of highly pathos and for gaining sympathies and energies from the other nations.

As India mourns the death of 40 CRPF personnel in Thursday’s terrorist strike in Jammu and
Kashmir’s Pulwama district, it is clear that the attack was meant to provoke. The Jaish-e-
Mohammed, the Pakistan-based terrorist organisation which has orchestrated numerous strikes
in the Kashmir Valley, has taken responsibility for what is now the highest toll of security forces
in any attack in the State (The Hindu: Terrible Thursday: on Pulwama terror attack)
In a country where UN-proscribed terrorist Hafiz Saeed roams around freely and is now even
engaging in politics, it is naive to expect the authorities to take action against terrorism. So
Khan’s words are meaningless, like his PM’s chair. (Times of india: The puppet speaks:
Pakistani PM Imran Khan’s take on Pulwama attack is not even remotely plausible)