“India strikes Pakistan”, “Operation Sindoor is launched”, and “India avenges Pahalgam” were some of the headlines on May 7 – in newspapers, on websites and on TV – that Indians woke up to. Then came the briefings by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to deliver India’s diplomatic stance. The presser had three people – Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Colonel Sophia Qureshi – explaining how India did, what it did, why it did and where it did – all through visuals.

The composition of the panel was no coincidence. It was a powerful symbolic counter to terrorism’s often regressive ideologies. It also reminded the nation that regardless of caste, anyone can rise through the ranks of service, and that terrorism, in all its forms, knows no religion. For the Kashmiri Pandits, it was a reminder that they must “burn with purpose”.

Then came May 10. India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire. Military briefings began.

India’s second military briefing, that came within 24 hours of the first, did give an update on Operation Sindoor – just like the first one – but it also set a narrative. A very powerful one. Through literature. The message by India to Pakistan was clear- “Bhay bin hui na preet” [there is no love without fear] – a quote from Ramcharitmanas, which is a poetic retelling by Tulsidas. Since Pakistan has been provoking India with terrorist attacks on civilians and armed forces over the years, the verse indicates that India’s approach needs a shift, and that is to create a sense of fear.

Though India has maintained that its operations are targeted at “terrorists” and not the “Pakistani military”, the tone and style of both briefings were very different from those held by the MEA. Day one began with the thunderous Shiva Tandava Stotram, apparently indicating that this ceasefire is not “surrender” but a strategic move; and even though India has welcomed peace, it remains ready for a battle, if “provoked”.

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The visuals accompanying the Shiva Tandav touched the right cords – missile launches, fighter jets, and boots on the ground – all giving one powerful message of “creation through destruction when necessary”. 

Got goosebumps? So did we during yesterday’s briefing.

“When terror strikes our soil, India’s spirits awakens. India responds – not just with force; but will unwavering resolve,” the briefing began with these words. Powerful. Isn’t it?

India called the 2016 Uri attack a “grave provocation”, the 2019 Pulwama attack as something that is still “heavy on hearts”, and the recent attack in the Valley as a “painful reminder”. 

Then came day two. This time, India played the defiant poetry of Ramdhari Singh Dinkar – “Yaachna nahi, ab ran hoga” [No more pleading, now there will be a fight]. This wasn’t just literary flair – it was deliberate messaging. Instead of playing the entire poem, India chose specific, hard-hitting lines to drive the point home.

“Jab naash manuj par chaata hai, pehle vivek mar jaata hai,” [When destruction looms over man, his conscience dies first] the video started with these lines. 

The presentation continued with, “Hit-vachan nahin tune maana, maitri ka moolya na pehchaana. To le, main bhi ab jaata hoon, antim sankalp sunaata hoon.” [You did not listen to my words, you did not recognise the value of friendship. So, I am leaving now, I will tell you my last decision.]

And then came the line that hit like thunder. The one meant to leave no room for ambiguity. “Yaachna nahin, ab ran hoga, jeevan-jay ya ki maran hoga.” [No more pleading, now there will be a fight, it will be either life or death.] It delivers a very clear message that even diplomacy has limits and beyond that point, only wars happen. 

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It was paired with the words: “They kneel”, “The sky remains ours” and “The Pakistani mirage shattered”. 

The nationalist poet, who later served as Rajya Sabha MP after India’s Independence, penned these defiant lines to echo Lord Krishna’s warning to Duryodhan when Krishna’s call for peace was spurned, and there was no option but war.

Now that the Indian Army has used it, in the present situation, it reflects a shift from diplomacy to a call to arms if Pakistan ignores India’s efforts to maintain peace.

During the presser, ahead of PM Modi’s big address at 8 PM today, Air Marshal AK Bharti was asked directly about India’s message to Pakistan and the world. His response? A verse from Ramcharitmanas. 

“Binay na maanat jaladhi jad gaye teeni din beet. Bole Ram sakop tab, bhay binu hoi na preet.” [Three days have passed and the sea did not agree politely. Then Shri Ram said angrily, there is no love without fear.] It puts everything into perspective. It implies that if a peaceful gesture, shown by India as it agreed to a ceasefire, is ignored, it will, like Lord Ram, not hesitate to resort to force and at a time it deems fit.

Got goosebumps during today’s briefing as well? We did too.

The press briefing, which happened on the day Virat Kohli resigned, was not just about poems and hymns. Cricket was mentioned too – given that India and Pakistan are arch rivals. 

“Ashes to Ashes, dust to dust, if Thommo doesn’t get you, Lillee must,” the famous poem from the cricket world was also quoted.