In the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack on Tuesday that claimed the lives of 26 persons, the Centre convened an all-party meeting in Parliament on Thursday to brief political leaders and discuss the way forward.
During the meeting, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi told reporters that all the parties condemned the terrorist attack and the Opposition has offered its full support to the government to take any action.
While talking to the reporters, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said that that everyone has agreed to fight against terrorism unitedly.
“Intelligence Bureau, Home Ministry officials gave information about the incident, how the incident happened and where the lapse happened… All parties said that they are with the government in this fight against terrorism,” he added.
Meanwhile, TMC MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay said the meeting also addressed concerns about security lapses. “We assured the government that all political parties will stand by the government, whatever decisions they take for the interest of the country,” he added.
‘Support government, but demand accountability’
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said that the government should take action against the Pakistan. However, he also raised questions regarding the security lapses and demanded that “propaganda against Kashmiris and Kashmiri students should be stopped”.
“Why was the CRPF not deployed at the Baisaran meadow?… Why did the quick reaction team take one hour to reach there and they shot people by asking their religion I condemn the way the terrorists killed people by asking about their religion…It is very good that the Indus Water Treaty has been suspended but where will we keep the water?… We will support whatever decision the central government takes,” he told reporters after the meeting.
AAP MP Sanjay Singh also echoed the sentiment of other opposition leaders stating that the entire nation wants the government to give a befitting reply to the terrorists. However, he also added that his party has demanded accountability and action in regards to the security lapse.
“The way they have killed innocent people, their camps should be destroyed and action should also be taken against Pakistan…This incident took place on 22nd April and on 20th April, that place without the information of security agencies was opened…The security agencies had no information about it…We have demanded that the accountability needs to be fixed and action should be taken as to why there was a security lapse,” he said, as quoted by news agency ANI.
The high-level meeting was attended by key ministers and senior leaders, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, BJP party president JP Nadda, Congress party president Mallikarjun Kharge, and NCP MP Supriya Sule, among others.
“We raised the question about the security lapse… There is three-tier security but in spite of that, how did such a lapse take place and a lot of innocents have died?” Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge asked.
But he also said the Opposition pledged its support. “It was said in one voice that whatever action the government takes in the interest of the country, we are together and will support the government.”
The meeting was held at the Old annexe building of the Parliament, two days after the attack at a lush meadow in Kashmir.
“The home minister said there was some lapse somewhere, otherwise why are we having this conversation…We’re investigating where it went wrong. But we have to fix it together, whatever it is. And we are open to all suggestions that you have,” said a lawmaker, requesting anonymity.
Rahul Gandhi and Sanjay Singh of the Aam Aadmi Party said the PM should have been present for the meeting and Haris Beran of the Indian Union Muslim League said a special two-day Parliament session should be called. Trinamool Congress’s Sudip Bandopadhyay suggested the PM call a meeting of all party chiefs. “Security lapses were discussed. We assured the government that all political parties will stand by the government,” he said.
Rahul Gandhi announced, “Opposition has given full support to Govt to take any action.”
Several leaders including Rahul Gandhi and Sanjay Singh raised the issue of vituperative messages on social media. “We urge the government to take all necessary steps to ensure that the perpetrators of this gruesome attack are brought to justice,” Biju Janata Dal leader Sasmit Patra said.
