Danish Kaneria, former leg spinner from Pakistan and one of only a few Hindu cricketers to play for Pakistan, has received mixed responses and ignited a strong discussion by publicly criticizing the Pakistani government after the Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 people were killed, followed by condemnation from across the world — but not from Pakistan. Kaneria’s clear condemnation has ruffled feathers both nationally and internationally.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Pakistan leg spinner chastised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for not condemning the attack of terror. He went on to accuse Pakistan of being a safe haven for terrorist organizations and indirectly making such events happen. "Why doesn't PM Sharif condemn the Pahalgam attack?” he asked publicly. In his tweet, he not only grieved for the lives lost but also condemned the state's role in allowing everyone to understand that it is OK for them to use terrorism across the line.

Kaneria went on to push the issue further, mentioning the high alert provided by the military after the attack. He suggested that there would be some knowledge of prior action or at least some level of understanding of the danger, showing there was an underlying issue in the state systems. He made it clear, however, that his denunciations do not encompass the people of Pakistan, many of whom are (in his view) victims of terrorism themselves, but the political and military elite that allow these actions to continue through their inaction or covert support.

I am not speaking against Pakistan or its people. The Awam of Pakistan have suffered the most at the hands of terrorism. They deserve leadership that stands for peace, not one that shelters terrorists or stays silent when innocents are murdered.

I once wore Pakistan’s jersey… https://t.co/CDf17g0pkz

— Danish Kaneria (@DanishKaneria61) April 24, 2025

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Diplomatic Fallout and National Reckoning

In the wake of the Pahalgam tragedy, India has responded appropriately with diplomatic measures, suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, shutting the Attari-Wagah border, and watching the movement of Pakistani nationals. Kaneria's words only provide a global perspective on the Pakistani role and further international scrutiny, which will only bolster India's credibility regarding Pakistan's role in regional instability. Kaneria's comments carry more weight because they come from someone who wore the Pakistani colors on a global stage, not a traditional political leader. 

The voice of Danish Kaneria offers a unique insider credibility and his critique of Pakistan's counterterrorism position. By refusing to remain silent selfishly, particularly as a minority voice in a precarious public environment, he has reignited discussions regarding accountability, reform, and complicit moral responsibilities in the absence of civic responsibility of public figures. In other words, by standing up, he holds not only Pakistan but the world to account for uncomfortable truths about state terrorism and the tragedy of silence.