When Truth Becomes a Costume in This Country

This May in India… something weird happened. Actually, two big things. Not just events, but moments that tell us a lot about how people wear their identities like clothes — ready to change them when it suits their agenda.

Let’s start with Colonel Sofia Qureshi.

Operation Sindoor happened early morning, 7th May 2025. Deadliest mission, executed cleanly. She was the face of it. The voice of it. Strong, confident, proud — without hijaab. But suddenly, all those people who earlier wanted girls to sit behind curtains, to not go to school, who chased burqas inside classrooms, who only trusted madrassas over schools — these same people were now writing love letters to Sofia Qureshi’s bravery.

I mean, where were all these praises hiding before?

Suddenly she became “Hamari beti.” Just like that. Flip of a switch. As if one army uniform washed away all the contradictions of their old thoughts. People who used to say “we are Muslims first, not Indians,” were now waving flags in her name. They were even challenging others, “Now say something against our patriotism!” And the biggest joke? They started using Sofia as a cover to shut the mouths of those who questioned their past actions.

What happened to the hijaab rules, bhai? Now she’s a national hero, so hijaab doesn’t matter?

And look at this — while everyone was busy posting Colonel Sofia’s pictures and turning her into the only “daughter of India,” there was another daughter sitting quietly on the same stage: Wing Commander Vyomika Singh.

No one cared.

Why? Just because she wasn’t fitting into their narrative. Sofia helped them wash their old stains. Vyomika didn’t. She wasn’t useful for them politically or socially, so she was cut out of the frame.

Who’s doing Hindu-Muslim now?The same people who cry that BJP does Hindu-Muslim are now doing it themselves — uplifting one, ignoring the other, both Indian, both daughters, both soldiers.

This is not just hypocrisy. This is mental gymnastics in front of the whole nation.

And the fun didn’t stop there.

Just 1-2 days after Operation Sindoor, one BJP MLA from Madhya Pradesh made a disgusting remark — calling Colonel Sofia “a terrorist’s sister.” That was absolutely shameful. And the same moment, a twist came in: Ram Gopal Yadav jumps in and says Vyomika Singh is a Dalit from Haryana.

Suddenly the spotlight swings like a drunk dancer.

Now, it was not about being a soldier. Now it was about caste. Within hours, Dalit pride posts exploded on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube. Reels, hashtags, articles, even cringe poetry. Dalit heroes, Dalit pride, Dalit betis.

And then?

2-3 days later — all vanished. Just like every trend in this country. Khatam. Because the wave shifted again.

Then came 14th May, and boom — Chief Justice B.R. Gavai takes oath. Dalit again. And now? The Dalit community declared another “relation.” Gavai saab was now their “brother,” their “role model,” “proof that we’ve arrived.”

But did anyone even pause to listen to what Justice Gavai himself said?

He said clearly, “Yes, I belong to Dalit community, but my children don’t identify that way anymore.”

And just like that — relationships broken. Now people started posting, “Caste isn’t about poverty,” “Gavai doesn’t understand ground reality,” “He’s privileged now.”

Wah bhai wah.

When someone helps your narrative, they’re family. The moment they speak the truth — they’re outsiders.

So the real question is — What do you stand for, really?Is your identity built on your values, or just your convenience?

This country doesn’t have a religion or caste problem — it has a selective linking problem.

We don’t support people based on what they do. We support them based on what we can use them for.

If a Muslim becomes a soldier, suddenly every religious hardliner who hated the uniform becomes a flag-waver.If a Dalit becomes a judge, suddenly every caste-rights activist remembers him.But the moment these people speak with independence — say something that doesn’t fit your frame — you throw them out.

Is this patriotism?Is this how representation works?

Colonel Sofia was never yours to decorate for one week. Neither was Vyomika, nor is Gavai.

They belong to the idea of India. Not to your toolbox of narratives.

You can’t hide behind them to cover your own contradictions.You can’t play Hindu-Muslim and then accuse others of doing it.You can’t use caste for attention and then discard the person who says, “I moved beyond caste.”

Let’s just accept it:

We want nationalism — but only the kind that makes us look good.We want inclusion — but only when it wins us likes.We want soldiers — but only when they help our arguments.We want judges — but only if they stay within our social boxes.

Otherwise?

We forget them.We ignore them.We insult them.

So what’s the lesson here?

Stop doing “selective linking.”Stop using people’s identity as temporary shields.Support merit, support contribution — not just the identity behind the uniform.

Because at the end of the day, this country needs soldiers, thinkers, judges, and leaders — not just flag-bearers of religion or caste.

We, the people, need to grow up.Not everyone has to be your brother or sister to deserve respect.And not every uniform needs to match your politics to be real.

So before you post another proud picture, ask yourself —Do you really believe in them?Or do you just need them to silence someone else?

Because if it’s the second one…Then your nationalism, your caste pride, your patriotism — all of it is just one big lie.

And you can’t build a country on lies.You can only fake it for a few days on social media.

But real heroes?They don’t care for your likes.They serve.They bleed.They stand tall — without your labels.

That’s real India. The one you’re too busy ignoring.