"Sarkar Toh Gayi Hui Hai": Child questions Govt after losing father in Pahalgam terror attack
Surat: In a heartbreaking moment that has stirred the conscience of many across the country, a young boy from Surat, Gujarat, has emerged as an unlikely voice of reason and courage after losing his father in the recent Pahalgam terror attack.
The boy, Naksh Kalthia, son of Shailesh Kalthia from the Varachha area of Surat, not only shared his trauma but also questioned the glaring security lapses in the region—something much of the mainstream media has shied away from doing.
A video clip from ANI, now widely circulated on social media, shows Naksh calmly recounting the horrifying experience at the so-called 'mini Switzerland' point in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where his father was killed. Yet, what stood out was not just the pain in his words, but the clarity and bravery with which he spoke, prompting netizens to call him “more sensible than elected leaders and louder than the silent media.”
When a reporter asked him if he wanted to say something to the government regarding the security failure, Naksh didn’t hold back. “Sarkar toh gayi hui hai… matlab itna bada atankwadi hamla hua, unhe kuch pata hi nahi hai,” he said, pointing out how the army base was located nearby, yet no help arrived until an hour later. "Chahta hoon ke Pahalgam ke upar army rakho," he added, demanding stronger protection in the area.
His words have gone viral, and the child has received widespread praise on social media for showing maturity and awareness beyond his years. Several users have compared his composed and straightforward questioning to the silence of political leaders and sections of the media.
One viral tweet read, “20 microphones in the face of a kid who just lost his father is more eloquent and composed than your average nagarsevak. Let that sink in.”
Another netizen wrote, “A small kid who lost his father just one day before is saying that Govt is clueless about the attack. There was no security personnel in that area. If only our media could ask such questions to the government.”
Criticism of the ruling leadership was also sharp. A user tweeted, “When will 75-year-old Narendra Modi have this bit of courage to take questions? Who will answer this kid and the ones who lost their loved ones and the nation at large?”
Naksh also mentioned how the local people rushed in after the attack and helped survivors get to safety, once again underlining the timely support of ordinary citizens over institutional response. He said the Army reached the area only after the victims had already climbed down from the spot where the shooting occurred.
Many users pointed out that while influencers and media houses chase views and amplify official narratives, it took a grieving child to highlight the very real questions of security preparedness and intelligence failure.
“This little boy who lost his father showed more sense than the entire Godi media and fake right-wing influencers,” one tweet read. “While they chase likes over lives, the child revealed that the army base was nearby, yet no help came for 40-50 minutes. Do they dare question Modi or Amit Shah now?”
Reporter: Beta, sarkar se aap kuch kehna chahenge wahan pe security lapses ko leke?
— Maria Khan (@mariakhan_11) April 24, 2025
Kid: Sarkar toh gayi hui hai… matlab itna bada atankwadi hamla hua, unhe kuch pata hi nahi hai. Idhar neeche poora army ka base hai, unhe kuch pata hi nahi chala. Chahta hoon ke Pehelgam ke upar… pic.twitter.com/FhgXIgCkIY
#WATCH | Surat, Gujarat | Shailesh Kalthia, a native of Varachha area of Surat city, was killed in the Pahalgam terror attack on 22nd April.
— ANI (@ANI) April 24, 2025
His son, Naksh Kalthia, says, "We were at the 'mini Switzerland' point in Pahalgam, J&K. We heard gunshots... We hid once we realised… pic.twitter.com/t0tKrc5dtI
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
