Pahalgam terror attack: Congress cites 1994 resolution to press for special Parliament session

The calls for a special Parliament session on Pahalgam terror attack have gone louder after the Opposition on Tuesday cited the 1994 resolution passed in the Parliament against Pakistan during the heydays of militancy in Jammu and Kashmir, to press Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP government to convene the session at an earliest.

The resolution passed on February 22, 1994, states, “The state of Jammu and Kashmir has been, is and shall be an integral part of India and any attempts to separate it from the rest of the country will be resisted by all necessary means…Pakistan must vacate the areas of J&K, which they have occupied through aggression; and resolves all attempts to interfere in the internal affairs of India will be met resolutely.”

The Congress MP and leader Jairam Ramesh informed on X about the 1994 resolution, stating, “The time has come to reiterate, renew, and refresh it – and more.” He added the government should heed the call of the Leaders of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and convene a special session of the Parliament at the earliest.

Earlier, emphasising that “unity and solidarity” is the need of the hour, the Congress urged the PM to call the session at an earliest the terror attack that left 26 people dead and at least 20 dead.

The party’s top brass, including its president Mallikarjun Kharge, who is Leader of Opposition (LOP) in the Rajya Sabha along with senior leader Rahul Gandhi, who is LOP in the Lok Sabha have shot separate letters to the Prime Minister while seeking a special Parliament session to deal with the situation created by the terror attack on April 22.

In his letter to the PM, Kharge said, “Hon’ble Prime Minister, at this moment, when unity and solidarity are essential, (the) Opposition believes that it is important to convene a special session of both houses of the Parliament at the earliest. This will be a powerful demonstration of our collective resolve and will to deal with the brutal terror attack in Pahalgam on innocent citizens on April 22. It is our fond hope that the session will be accordingly convened.”

Ramesh, who is also the head of the Congress’ communications wing, shared the letter on social media.

Ramesh informed that the Congress chief Kharge has written to the PM last night requesting that a special session of both Houses of Parliament be convened at the earliest to demonstrate a collective will to deal with the situation.

In another letter, Rahul Gandhi said, “Dear Prime Minister, the terrorist attack in Pahalgam has outraged every Indian. At this critical time, India must show that we will always stand together against terrorism. The Opposition believes that a special session of both Houses of Parliament should be convened, where the representatives of the people can show their unity and determination. We request that such a special session be convened at the earliest.”

“My letter to PM Modi requesting a special session of both Houses of Parliament to be convened at the earliest,” he added.

The Budget session of the Parliament, which started on January 31, ended on April 4. The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are scheduled to meet for the Monsoon Session in July.

The Congress’ top brass’ letter to the PM comes amid rising tension between India and Pakistan, suspected to have played a key role in the terror attack at Baisaran Valley in Pahalgam, where tourists were killed in cold blood.

The government had earlier called an all-party meeting to brief opposition leaders on its future course of action. Kharge and Rahul Gandhi have said that the government has the full support of the Opposition for any action.

The PM has said there is “grief and rage” over the attack from “Kargil to Kanyakumari”. This attack was not just on innocent tourists; the country’s enemies have shown the audacity to attack India’s soul,” the Prime Minister said.

He has said the terrorists who carried out the attack and those who plotted it would “get a punishment they cannot imagine”. “The time has come to raze whatever is left of the terror haven. The will of 140 crore will break the back of the masters of terror,” he said.

Earlier, the government suspended the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) and visa services to Pakistani nationals. Pakistan has responded by threatening that it will suspend all bilateral agreements with India, including the Simla Agreement that validates the Line of Control (LoC).

India