New Delhi, April 29 – In the wake of the devastating terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, that left 26 people dead and several injured, senior Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge have jointly demanded the immediate convening of a special session of Parliament. The leaders emphasized the seriousness of the incident and the urgent need for a national dialogue on internal security and counterterrorism strategies.
The attack, which occurred on April 28, targeted a civilian convoy and sent shockwaves across the nation. Condemning the incident as a massive security lapse, Rahul Gandhi stated, “The country deserves answers. This was not just a failure on the ground, but a failure in intelligence and leadership.” He called on the central government to be transparent about what went wrong and what steps are being taken to prevent further such incidents.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge echoed similar concerns. In a press conference held in New Delhi, Kharge said, “The government must take responsibility. Parliament should not wait for the monsoon session. A special session must be convened immediately to address national security concerns and hold a full debate.” He stressed that cross-party consensus is necessary to review and reinforce India’s security policies in the sensitive region of Jammu and Kashmir.
Opposition parties, including the DMK, AAP, and Trinamool Congress, have extended their support for the demand, calling for unity in addressing threats to national security. Several leaders also suggested forming a multi-party parliamentary committee to investigate the circumstances of the attack and recommend structural reforms in intelligence coordination.
Government sources, however, have yet to respond officially to the request for a special session. Union Home Minister Amit Shah condemned the attack and stated that security forces are already working to neutralize the perpetrators. Shah assured that a full inquiry has been initiated, and the Centre is in close touch with the J&K administration.
The attack has reignited concerns over the resurgence of militant activities in the Valley, despite the claims of improved security in the region post the abrogation of Article 370. Critics argue that development projects and political restructuring in Jammu and Kashmir have not been accompanied by sufficient improvements in ground-level security or trust-building with local communities.
Rahul Gandhi, during his statement, also called for better welfare measures for victims of terror attacks and their families. He stressed that grieving families must receive prompt support and that national security should rise above political divisions.
As India prepares for upcoming legislative sessions, public pressure is mounting for accountability and action. The demand for a special Parliament session is gaining traction among citizens and political observers alike, signaling the need for urgent, collective, and bipartisan focus on national security.
