The brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22 has left India mourning yet again, prompting fierce political reaction and a renewed demand for institutional action. Twenty-six innocent civilians, many of them tourists, lost their lives when militants opened fire in the Baisaran Valley of Jammu and Kashmir. The attackers reportedly carried out the assault after separating victims based on religious identity—a chilling echo of past horrors.
As the country grapples with shock and anger, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has emerged as a leading voice demanding a national reckoning. Calling it a “failure of both intelligence and political leadership,” Kharge has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to convene a special session of Parliament to address what he terms “a national emergency in slow motion.”
Political Unity in the Face of Terror
At a press briefing held at the AICC headquarters, Kharge stated, “This is not the time for partisan debate. This is the time for national unity. Parliament must become the platform through which India speaks—firmly, clearly, and responsibly—against terrorism and those who enable it.”
He added that the government’s silence on lapses in security, infiltration, and response coordination sends a troubling message to both citizens and enemies of the state. “India must not only punish the attackers but also confront the truth about the state of its internal security.”
Intelligence Failures Under Scrutiny
Reports from Jammu and Kashmir police suggest that there were inputs about potential militant movement in the area days before the incident. However, the attackers—believed to be members of Lashkar-e-Taiba—managed to evade surveillance and carry out the massacre in broad daylight.
Kharge has demanded that the government release a summary of intelligence findings to Parliament. “Was there a failure in communication? Were local police forces adequately informed or equipped? These are questions that deserve more than bureaucratic statements,” he said.
Call for Institutional Reform
In addition to a one-time session, Kharge has proposed the formation of a permanent Parliamentary Committee on Internal Security and Counterterrorism. This body, he suggested, would act as a non-partisan forum to track evolving threats and guide long-term strategy.
Security experts have welcomed the proposal. “We need oversight, not just executive action. A cross-party committee could enhance continuity across changing governments,” said Brigadier (Retd.) M.K. Dutta, a counterterrorism advisor.
Public Outcry and Emotional Fallout
The country has responded to the Pahalgam tragedy with deep emotion. Candlelight vigils, memorial services, and interfaith peace gatherings have taken place across major cities. Social media platforms are flooded with messages demanding justice, many of which echo Kharge’s call for accountability.
Victims’ families, particularly those of Hindu pilgrims targeted in the attack, are also asking tough questions. “We went there for peace and blessings. Why did they let this happen?” asked Rekha Sharma, who lost her brother in the incident.
The Government’s Position
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack and assured swift justice. In a televised statement, he said, “Terror will never win. The blood of our innocent citizens will not go unavenged.” The Cabinet Committee on Security met within 24 hours of the incident and approved intensified operations in south Kashmir.
However, the government has not responded directly to the request for a special session. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi told reporters that “security matters are sensitive” and will be addressed “at the right forum and time.”
Kharge responded sharply, saying, “If not Parliament, then where? If not now, then when?”
The Bigger Picture
The Pahalgam attack has not only exposed immediate vulnerabilities but has also raised deeper questions about the government’s Kashmir narrative. The Centre has promoted tourism and economic investment in the region post-Article 370 abrogation, arguing that development and security are hand in hand. Critics now argue that the focus on perception may have outpaced genuine stabilization.
The tragic incident, combined with Kharge’s assertive intervention, has transformed what could have remained a regional issue into a national moment of reckoning. Whether Parliament meets or not, the demand for answers continues to grow.
