Rahul Gandhi, Kharge demand special Parliament session over Pahalgam attack

By Admin

29 Apr, 2025

In the wake of the tragic terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 innocent civilians, Opposition leaders have called for a special session of Parliament, urging a unified and resolute response from the nation’s leadership.

Call for Unity in Times of Tragedy

Congress President and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Lok Sabha Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi have jointly appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to convene a special session of both Houses of Parliament. The April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam’s Baisaran meadow, located in Anantnag district, shook the nation and prompted widespread outrage.

Kharge, in a letter sent Monday evening, emphasized the need for national solidarity. “At this moment, when unity and solidarity is essential, the Opposition believes that it is important to convene a special session of both Houses of Parliament at the earliest,” he wrote. “This will be a powerful demonstration of our collective resolve and will to deal with the brutal terror attack in Pahalgam on innocent citizens.”

Echoing similar sentiments, Rahul Gandhi underscored the importance of standing together against terrorism. “The terrorist attack in Pahalgam has outraged every Indian. At this critical time, India must show that we will always stand together against terrorism,” he said in his letter to the Prime Minister. “We request that such a special session be convened at the earliest.”

Government Briefing and Opposition’s Reaction

The demand for a special session follows an all-party meeting held on April 24. During the meeting, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah briefed key political leaders about the incident, supported by officials from the Intelligence Bureau and the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Rajnath Singh assured that the government was “committed” to taking “strong actions” in response. Despite concerns raised over a potential security lapse, the Opposition stood with the government on taking decisive action and emphasized the need for a coordinated national approach.

However, the absence of Prime Minister Modi at the all-party meeting drew significant criticism. At a public rally in Rajasthan, Kharge lashed out, saying, “Modi prioritised Bihar election rally over the country. At least you should have come to the (all-party) meeting when we had offered complete support to whatever action the government wanted to take.”

India’s Firm Response to the Attack

The Pahalgam attack, one of the deadliest on civilians in recent years, prompted swift retaliatory measures by the Indian government. India suspended the historic 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, downgraded diplomatic ties with Pakistan, and closed the Attari land crossing. Additionally, visa exemptions under the SAARC scheme were revoked, existing Pakistani visas were cancelled, and Pakistani nationals were ordered to leave India within 48 hours.

Further digital restrictions followed, with access to Pakistan’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle being blocked in India. By April 28, the Centre extended its crackdown on digital platforms by blocking over 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, including prominent news channels like Dawn News and Geo News.

Conclusion

As the nation mourns the loss of 26 lives in Pahalgam, the demand for a special Parliament session signifies a broader political consensus: India must respond to terrorism not just with force, but with unity. With Opposition leaders pressing for dialogue and national solidarity, the ball is now in the Prime Minister’s court to demonstrate leadership in these testing times.