On Thursday, the central government held an all-party meeting in the wake of a recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Leaders from major political parties came together, reaffirming their support for the government’s firm stance on national security. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who led the meeting, expressed the prevalent outrage in the country over the attack and indicated that the government plans to implement additional stringent measures in response.
During the meeting, Singh detailed the attack’s timing, highlighting its occurrence amidst Jammu and Kashmir’s rapidly improving economy and the surge in tourism. The government interprets the attack as an attempt to destabilize the region and disrupt its positive momentum. Singh also announced that the Cabinet Security Committee (CSC) had taken several significant decisions as part of their emergency response, underscoring the policy of “zero tolerance towards terrorism.” He committed to strict actions against any future terrorist threats.
Following the meeting, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju addressed the media, remarking that the gathering was highly constructive. He noted that all political factions have united in their support for the government’s anti-terrorism efforts, with leaders explicitly stating their solidarity in confronting terrorism under any circumstances. Rijiju emphasized that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the central government are resolute in their stance against terrorism, signaling that such acts will not be tolerated. The meeting conveyed a powerful message of unity in Indian politics on terrorism-related issues, demonstrating a collective commitment from all parties to prioritize national security.
At the conclusion of an all-party meeting held by the central government at the Parliament Annex, leaders unanimously stressed the need for India to combat terrorism robustly and collaboratively, reassuring citizens that decisions regarding terrorism will transcend political divides. The meeting commenced with a tribute to the victims of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, marked by a two-minute silence. Chaired by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, it was attended by key figures including Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, alongside prominent leaders from nearly all political parties.
Among the attendees were Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi, who both strongly condemned the Pahalgam incident. AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi arrived later, having been personally invited by the Home Minister. Following the meeting, Kharge emphasized the importance of achieving peace in Jammu and Kashmir, urging the government to take substantial measures in this regard. Rahul Gandhi expressed that all parties had denounced the terrorist attack, indicating the opposition’s full support for the government’s potential actions against terrorism.
Overall, the meeting showcased a unified front among Indian political leaders in their collective stance against terrorism, highlighting the urgent need for cooperative efforts to maintain peace and security in Jammu and Kashmir. The discussions underscored the critical nature of political unity in addressing security challenges, reinforcing a shared commitment to safeguard the nation from the threats posed by terrorism.