In the days following the Pahalgam terror attack, political silence from the central government has drawn sharp criticism from the opposition. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has stepped into the leadership vacuum with a direct demand: a special session of Parliament to address the return of high-profile terror incidents to the Kashmir Valley.
The attack, which left 26 civilians dead and dozens injured, was not a random act of violence. According to security agencies, it was a calculated, religiously-motivated operation aimed at undermining recent efforts to project Kashmir as a peaceful destination for tourism and investment.
Kharge, in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, wrote, “The people of India need to see a functioning democracy respond to their grief. Parliament must not remain silent when our citizens are massacred.”
Opposition Pushes for Institutional Dialogue
The Congress leader is not alone in his demand. Leaders from the Samajwadi Party, National Conference, and even the Trinamool Congress have expressed support for a focused parliamentary debate on national security and Kashmir.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said, “The government cannot cherry-pick when Parliament is active. A national security crisis must not be swept under the carpet of administrative meetings.”
The opposition has proposed a comprehensive agenda for the session, including:
- A government briefing on the state of militancy in Kashmir
- Measures to protect pilgrims and tourists in high-risk zones
- Steps to counter radicalization
- Rehabilitation and compensation packages for victims’ families
The Security Landscape Post-Attack
In response to the attack, security forces have launched aggressive operations across south Kashmir. Drone surveillance, intelligence sweeps, and night raids have been reported from Anantnag and Shopian. Yet, many question why such operations weren’t proactively enforced before the tragedy.
Kharge has emphasized that reactive security is not enough. “Every terror attack is followed by action. But what is being done to prevent them in the first place? Parliament must ask this question.”
A Test of Political Will
For many observers, the response to Kharge’s call is a test of the Modi government’s willingness to engage across the aisle on national issues. Though counterterrorism has traditionally remained outside partisan politics, this latest attack may force a shift.
Dr. Ramesh Kumar, a Delhi-based policy analyst, noted, “If the government does not respond to Kharge’s demand, it could reinforce the perception that national security is being managed in isolation. That can weaken public trust.”
Rising Civilian Concern
Voices from the ground indicate fear and frustration. Many Kashmiris fear that renewed violence will bring back the era of curfews, economic isolation, and constant surveillance.
“I just opened a guesthouse after four years of peace. Now, I don’t know if anyone will come,” said Bashir Ahmed, a hotel owner in Pahalgam. Others worry about being stereotyped and caught in the crossfire of politics and militancy.
Kharge acknowledged these concerns in his letter, stressing that the government must also include regional representatives in any security dialogue. “Peace cannot be parachuted into Kashmir; it must be built with trust and accountability.”
Looking Ahead
As the country mourns its dead and Kashmir braces for possible aftershocks—political, military, and psychological—Kharge’s call stands out as a bid to reclaim Parliament’s role in national healing and response.
Whether the government agrees to a special session or not, the real question is whether India’s political class can come together in the face of tragedy—or whether the silence in Parliament will become part of the problem.
