Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Apr 29: Calls for a special Parliament session to address the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack have intensified, with the Opposition invoking the 1994 resolution against Pakistan, passed during the peak of militancy in Jammu and Kashmir, to urge the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP government to convene the session urgently.
The 1994 resolution, passed on February 22, 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.”
Congress MP Jairam Ramesh highlighted this resolution on X, stating, “The time has come to reiterate, renew, and refresh it - and more.” He further emphasized that the government should heed the Opposition's demand for an immediate special Parliament session.
This demand follows earlier calls from the Congress for a session to demonstrate “unity and solidarity” in response to the terror attack, which claimed 26 lives.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, also Leader of Opposition (LOP) in the Rajya Sabha, and senior leader Rahul Gandhi, LOP in the Lok Sabha, have separately written to the Prime Minister requesting a special Parliament session to address the situation arising from the April 22 attack.
In his letter, Kharge stated, “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 also heads the Congress’ communications wing, shared Kharge’s letter on social media.
Rahul Gandhi, in his letter, 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.”
The Budget session of Parliament, which began on January 31, concluded on April 4. The Monsoon Session is scheduled for July.
These letters from the Congress leadership come amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, which are suspected to be linked to the Pahalgam terror attack.
The government had previously convened an all-party meeting to brief opposition leaders on its planned actions. Kharge and Rahul Gandhi have assured the government of the Opposition's full support.
Prime Minister Modi has expressed “grief and rage” over the attack, stating, “This attack was not just on innocent tourists; the country’s enemies have shown the audacity to attack India’s soul.”
He has vowed that the terrorists and their masterminds “will get a punishment they cannot imagine” and that “the will of 140 crore will break the back of the masters of terror.”
The government has also suspended the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) and visa services to Pakistani nationals. In response, Pakistan has threatened to suspend all bilateral agreements with India, including the Simla Agreement.