NEW DELHI: A day after the deadly Taliban attack on an army-run school in Peshawar wiped out 140 lives, the Lok Sabha on Wednesday unanimously passed a resolution condemning the massacre in Pakistan.
Both Houses of Parliament observed two-minutes silence in a mark of solidarity. In what is perhaps the first in recent history, the House has passed a resolution against an attack that took place in Pakistan. It expressed outrage, shock and sorrow and extended condolences to the “Parliament, government, people of Pakistan, the bereaved families and injured”. It emphasised that terrorism of all kind should be equally targeted.
“The House resolves that all barbaric terrorist attacks against innocent people, especially vulnerable children, should not be tolerated and calls upon all the nations and each and everyone with all the energies at their command to fight against all acts of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” it said.
In Rajya Sabha, chairman Hamid Ansari said the “senseless and brutal cowardly act is deplorable”. “This incident only reaffirms our resolve to fight terrorism with more determination and firmness,” he said.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said the attack, along with the Sydney siege, were a “clarion call” to join hands to defeat terrorism, in which India was willing to play its role. Both the attacks were “manifestations of the darkening shadow of terrorism”, she said.
Schoolchildren across the country, including in Tamil Nadu, commemorated the victims by observing two minutes of silence. A candlelight vigil was also held at India Gate.