Fitting reply a must: Opposition rallies behind Centre against terrorism
The terror attack in Pahalgam has brought together the otherwise bickering ruling and opposition parties, with all of them condemning the barbaric incident.
The Opposition has sought action against the perpetrators and said it was standing behind the government against terror. The Congress today urged the BJP-led Centre to call an all-party meeting over the issue.
The attack in south Kashmir’s Pahalgam is the worst attack since 40 soldiers were killed in Pulwama in February 2019.
Leaders of the Opposition in both Houses — Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge — spoke to Home Minister Amit Shah today ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s key meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security.
This time, the Congress seems to have toughened its stance and has sided with the government. The stance is different from the position it took at the time of the Pulwama attack in 2019 by questioning the surgical strikes.
The Congress has termed the Pahalgam attack a direct attack on the Indian state and has said India must give a fitting response.
The party has extended its full support to the government in the fight against terror. It has also called a Congress Working Committee meeting tomorrow.
At a press conference in Bengaluru, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said, “This is not the time for partisan politics. It is a moment for collective resolve to ensure justice for those who lost their lives and for their grieving families, by bringing the perpetrators of this terror attack to justice.”
“This is a direct attack on the Indian state. The entire nation is in shock. A Pakistani terrorist organisation has claimed responsibility. We must give a befitting response,” Kharge said.
Meanwhile, opposition parties across the nation have condemned the attack. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin condemned the attack, calling it a “barbaric act that shocks the conscience”.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee extended her condolences, noting that one of the victims was from her state.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi called the assault a deeply disturbing act of targeted violence.
“It’s not about the number of deaths…it is the audacity of these terrorists who went about identifying and targeting the tourists on the basis of their religion,” she said, urging for swift and decisive retribution.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena president Eknath Shinde expressed anger and sorrow, saying, “The blood of innocent tourists has been spilled. Although this game was started by the Pakistanis, Indian soldiers will respond effectively.”
AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi described the attack as a massacre. The CPM also condemned the Pahalgam attack.
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