NEW DELHI: The Congress on Thursday said the "cowardly" Pahalgam attack has been masterminded by Pakistan and is a direct assault on the "values of our republic", even as it accused the BJP of exploiting the tragedy to promote discord and polarisation at a time when unity is most needed.
The Congress demanded a comprehensive analysis into the intelligence failures and security lapses that enabled the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam.
The Congress Working Committee (CWC), the highest decision-making body of the party, adopted a resolution expressing its deepest shock and condemnation of the heinous terrorist attack, which claimed the lives of 26 innocent tourists and left more than 20 others grievously injured.
"The Congress Working Committee extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved families. It stands with them wholeheartedly in this moment of profound anguish."
"This cowardly and calculated act of terror, masterminded by Pakistan, is a direct assault on the values of our republic. The deliberate targeting of Hindus was done to inflame passions across the country," the party's resolution said.
"We appeal for calm in the face of this grave provocation and reaffirm our collective strength in the face of adversity.
The resolution passed at the emergency meeting chaired by party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, pointed out that the Union Territory — Pahalgam, known to be a heavily guarded area, secured by a three-tier security arrangement, is directly under the purview of the Union Home Ministry, and these questions must be raised in the larger public interest.
“This is the only way justice can truly be seen to be served for the families whose lives have been so brutally devastated, said the resolution. The meeting, attended by leaders including Parliamentary Party leader Sonia Gandhi, former president Rahul Gandhi, and party general secretary (Organisation) expressed deepest shock and condemnation over the attack
Noting that the massacre has rightly drawn condemnation from all political parties in Jammu and Kashmir and from a wide cross-section of its citizens, the resolution expressed shock that the BJP is "exploiting this grave tragedy through official and proxy social media platforms to sow further discord, mistrust, polarisation and division at a time when unity and solidarity is most needed.”
The CWC appeals for calm and reaffirms the Indian National Congress' longstanding resolve to combat cross-border terrorism with determination and unity," the resolution said.
Reading out the resolution at a press conference, party general secretary K C Venugopal, along with Jairam Ramesh and Pawan Khera, said the CWC also paid tributes to the local ponywalas and tourist guides, one of whom was killed while trying to protect tourists to uphold the idea of India.
Venugopal said that Kharge and Rahul Gandhi will attend the all-party meeting called by the government in the evening,
“To demonstrate the collective will of the nation, the Indian National Congress had, on the night of the 22nd itself, called for an all-party meeting chaired by the Prime Minister. This meeting has now been scheduled for today,” he said. When asked if Congress will discuss the issue of Kashmiri students being targeted after the attack, Venugopal said that the leaders will take up all the concerned issues in the meeting.
“I was there yesterday, and the relatives of the deceased also raised questions about the lack of proper security arrangements in the area. The government has to answer these questions,” he said.
On questions about the lack of action after the Pulwama attack in 2019, he said, “We have already put forward some questions. Let them come up with the answers.”
On India suspending the Indus Water treaty, Venugopal said that the party has conveyed to the government that the decisions shouldn’t be just symbolic, but need to be implemented
“We are waiting for the decisions,” he added.
Venugopal also announced that the Congress will hold candle marches across the country on April 25 to pay homage to the victims of the attack and protest against terrorist activities.
Noting that the Amarnath Yatra is set to commence shortly and lakhs of pilgrims from across India will participate in the annual journey, the CWC said their safety must be treated as a national priority.
"Robust, transparent, and proactive security arrangements must be put in place without delay.
The safety of pilgrims, as well as the livelihoods of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, many of whom depend on tourism, must be protected with full sincerity and seriousness," the resolution adopted by the CWC said.
(With inputs from PTI)
