New Delhi: The Indian National Congress has called for a special session of Parliament to address the recent terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, which claimed 26 lives on April 22.
In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge emphasised the need for a unified political response and urged the government to convene a joint session of both Houses of Parliament. Kharge stated that such a session would send a strong message of national solidarity and shared determination to confront terrorism.
“At this moment, when unity and solidarity are essential, the Opposition believes it is important to convene a special session at the earliest,” Kharge wrote. “This would demonstrate our collective resolve to deal with the brutal terror attack in Pahalgam.”
The request comes amid heightened political and public attention on national security in the wake of the attack, one of the deadliest in the region since the 2019 Pulwama incident.
Earlier on Monday, the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly held a special session to condemn the attack. Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary moved a resolution expressing strong disapproval of the violence and extending solidarity to the victims and their families. The resolution, supported by all members, was passed unanimously.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also addressed the assembly, clarifying that while he continues to advocate for statehood for Jammu and Kashmir, he would not link the demand to the recent tragedy. “My politics is not so cheap,” he said, stressing the importance of mourning the victims over politicising the incident.
In response to the attack, the Union Government has announced several diplomatic and security measures targeting cross-border terrorism. The Cabinet Committee on Security met shortly after the incident to coordinate India’s response, which includes strong actions against Pakistan for its alleged role in supporting terror groups operating across the border.
