Pahalgam terror attack: Opposition says united in fight against terrorism, questions govt’s ‘hollow’ claims on J&K

New Delhi: Opposition on Tuesday unequivocally condemned the “dastardly” terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam with the Congress asking the government to take responsibility rather than making “hollow claims” of normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir and the CPI(M) claiming that the strike exposed the “hollow rhetoric of Modi-Shah”.

As his party demanded an all-party meeting, Congress president Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said these “dastardly targeted attacks are a blot on humanity” and urged the government to take corrective measures as India’s national security is “paramount”.

Strongly condemning the “cowardly terror attack on innocent tourists” in Pahalgam, he said the entire nation is united in fighting the scourge of cross-border terrorism.

“India’s national security is paramount and we urge the Government of India to take corrective measures to ensure the same,” he said while expressing condolences to the families of the victims. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the injured,” he added.

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said the “cowardly” terrorist attack is “extremely condemnable and heartbreaking” and the whole country is united against terrorism.

“Instead of making hollow claims of the situation being normal in Jammu and Kashmir, the government should now take accountability and take concrete steps so that such barbaric incidents do not happen in the future and innocent Indians do not lose their lives like this,” he said.

Congress General Secretary (Communications) Jairam Ramesh said the party demands an all-party meeting and the government takes all parties into confidence, as this attack “cannot and must not go unanswered effectively”. 

Condemning the “ghastly” terror attack, CPI(M) said in a post on ‘X’ that the union government should ensure that the “perpetrators of this heinous act of violence” are booked and justice is served.

“This terror attack lays bare the hollow rhetoric of the Modi-Shah duo that everything is well in Kashmir and that peace and normalcy have been restored. The Government of India should waste no time in ensuring a lasting political solution to the issues of the people in Jammu and Kashmir,” it said.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said the “horrific” pictures of the terrorist attack were “heart-wrenching”, as he called the attack “condemnable from every point of view”.

“The best medical services and facilities of the country should be immediately ensured for the speedy treatment of the injured...The central government first needs to ensure a safe environment, only then the lives of local residents and tourists can remain safe,” he said.

AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal said the “cowardly” terrorist attack was “extremely shameful and condemnable. Targeting unarmed innocents is an attack on humanity. The whole country is united in this sad moment...and we strongly condemn every form of terrorism.”

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she was “deeply anguished” by the “brutal” terrorist attack. “This act of violence is utterly reprehensible and must not go unpunished,” she said.

AIMIM chief and senior MP Asaduddin Owaisi called the terror strike “highly condemnable” and said its perpetrators deserve the strictest punishment in law.

In a statement, CPI(ML)L said that the Modi government's “claim of normalisation” of the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and “chest-thumping” on national security “stands exposed”, as such attacks “continue unabated” in the region. It claimed that there has been a disturbing rise in attacks on civilians -- residents, migrant workers, and now tourists.

“The BJP’s repeated proclamations of 'complete normalcy' in Jammu and Kashmir ring hollow in the face of such continuing violence. While the ruling party has declared on every platform that all issues in the region have been resolved, the reality tells a different story. Jammu and Kashmir remains heavily militarized and terror attacks persist under the watch of this regime. The Modi government’s strategy -- suppressing democratic voices while indulging in aggressive posturing -- has failed to deliver either peace or security,” it said.

“We must reject any attempt to use this tragic incident as a pretext to stoke jingoistic and communal narratives. At this critical moment, it is essential for people across the country to stand united and push back the divisive forces seeking to exploit such tragedies for political gain,” it added.