Social Media Debates-Imran Khan’s Decision: PR Victory or Capitulation?

SRINAGAR — As news anchors and their guests bayed for blood non stop by whipping up war hysteria in their cozy TV studios over the detention of IAF pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, Pakistani Premier Imran Khan sprang a surprise by announcing his release as a ‘Peace Gesture’ towards India.

Internet exploded and a debate raged with peaceniks striking back at war mongers with some praising Imran Khan for the gesture and some dismissing it as Pak capitulation.

Distinguished Indian journalist and anchorperson Rajdeep Serdesai declared Imran Khan a winner for taking a moral high ground.

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Another journalist Harinder Baweja said, “Not many will like this but @ImranKhanPTI knows how to steal the headlines.”

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Former cricketer and celebrity Navjot Singh Sidhu heralded Imran Khan’s move saying “every noble act makes a way for itself… your goodwill gesture is a cup of joy for a billion people, a nation rejoices”.

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Socio-political activist and columnist Sudheendra Kulkarni said PM Khan “proved to be a Man of Peace”.

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Punjab’s Chief Minister Amarinder Singh spoke out saying that Abhinandan’s release would serve as a stepping stone for goodwill, as well as sharing his joy.

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Mirwaiz Umar Farooq also welcomed Khan’s move, and hoped that better sense would prevail after that.

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Mehbooba Mufti, praised the prime minister and said it was time for the Indian political leadership to take measures to de-escalate the situation.

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South Asia expert Michael Kugelman said the “bold & brave move” move has paved the way for de-escalation.

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Journalist Aditya Menon tweeted: Govt caught completely unawares. No one with any honesty can spin this in govt’s favour.

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Author Nitasha Kaul tweeted: Modi continues to campaign, worries about losing elections, blames opposition for justifiable criticism, can’t bear the growing calls for peace from Indians within #India. His position is made worse by Imran Khan’s offer of peace &the possibility of #Pakistan releasing the pilot

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But there were others who thought the credit for Varthaman’s release belonged to the Prime Minister Modi, calling it a “diplomatic victory”.

Twitter user Vinay Viveka Vardhan called it a “Huge diplomatic win by India saying at this moment I can only think of #AbhinandanVarthaman ‘s family who will be very Happy to see him tomorrow.

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Television channel Republic Tv tweeted: TITANIC WIN FOR INDIA: Pakistan to release IAF’s Wing Commander Abhinandan tomorrow, crumbling under unprecedented pressure from India 

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Academic Subir Sinha responded: TITANIC as in: hit an iceberg and sank with all on board while expensive dinner service and ball-room dancing was going on? Please choose your sycophantic hyperboles correctly.

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Meanwhile while both sides remained on the brink netizens took to Twitter to trend ‘#SayNoToWar’.

The hashtag was on the top trends in India on Twitter, positioned no. 1, at the time this was filed. The Twitter trends in Pakistan mirrored those in India. ‘#SayNoToWar’ was trending at no. 3.

Twitter user Akshay More summed it up saying: “Both countries have capability to destroy each other 100 times . nobody wins in war #SayNoToWar

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