Claiming a collective desire to teach Pakistan a lesson as a nation, the Congress Working Committee on Friday urged the central government to work with perseverance, strategic clarity and international coordination to separate and punish Islamabad for continuous export of terror.
The CWC, who met here today under the chairmanship of Congress President Mallikrajun Kharge, passed a resolution expressing solidarity and support with 26 families, who lost their loved ones in a barbaric terrorist attack in Pahgam.
In his initial comments, Kharge said that the Congress has expressed vague support to deal with the government’s position. However, he said that even after ten days of the horrific incident, the government has not taken any action. “The pain of these families is the pain of the whole country,” he said, while saying that CWC stands with them not only in words but also in ending solidarity.
At the same time, CWC said that the whole country “wait for accountability, answer and justice”. In front of such an unforgivable provocation, the Indian National Congress believes that it is not a time for politics, but a moment that says for unity, power and national resolve, saying, “We should rise above the partisan partition and send a vague message that India stands together and will break.”
CWC Sankalp said, “This is the time to demonstrate our collective performance as a nation to teach Pakistan a lesson and to stop terrorism. The masterminds of this cowardly attack and criminals will have to face full consequences of their actions.”
The CWC Sankalp also asked the families of the victims for continuous moral and institutional support. He said, “Compensation alone is not enough. Long -term rehabilitation, mental health assistance, and honor of the memory of those lost through national recognition and citizen memory are equally necessary,” he said.
The CWC confirmed its earlier demand for accountability from time to time for serious flaws in safety and intelligence in one of the country’s heaviest guard areas. “The people of India deserve transparency and accountability,” Sankalp said, while appealed to all citizens to remain united, calm and firm. “Our response to this act of terror shows the strength of our democracy, the depth of our unity and the flexibility of our Republic,” said this.
Later, reporters, party general secretary Jayram Ramesh, Bhupesh Baghel and Sachin Pilot and CWC members Charanjit Singh Channi and Saptagiri Ulka reiterated the party’s unleashed support for the government in teaching Pakistan a lesson.
Jayer Ramesh unanimously reminded the government on 22 February 1994, which tries to free the part of Kashmir which is in the illegal occupation of Pakistan.
He reiterated the party’s demand for a “immediate session of Parliament” to argue and discuss the need for terrorist attacks and action. He asked the Prime Minister and his cabinet colleagues to target the Congress and prevent them from taking decisive action instead.
Bhupesh Baghel first questioned the lack of adequate security in the field considered sensitive despite the history of warnings and similar attacks.
Former Union Minister Sachin Pilot confirmed the full and unconditional support of the Congress party to the Government of India. He recalled unity displayed by the Congress during the 2001 Parliament attack, underlining the party’s frequent commitment for the national interest. He said, “This is not an attack on tourists. This is an attack on India. The Prime Minister should not respond – not with speeches, but with action,” he said.
Channi confirmed the support of the Congress for the government to end terrorism and strengthen the unity and integrity of the country. “Congress stands with the government like a rock,” he commented.
Saptagiri Ulaka, MP, who recently visited the region as part of a parliamentary committee, shocked that a few days before the attack, the authorities claimed that everything was “under control.” He sought answers from the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding the failure of intelligence and security system.
The Congress Working Committee, which was found at the AICC headquarters in the national capital on Friday, adopted a resolution, urging the Center to implement Article 15 (5) of the Constitution and allocated the necessary funds for each stage of the census.
In its resolve, CWC said that the BJP-led central government has “accepted” the demand of the Indian National Congress to collect population data-caste as part of the next census.
“This practice should not be delayed. All political parties should be taken in full confidence. Parliament should be debated immediately on this issue. The government should immediately allocate the necessary funds and announce a clear time for each stage of the census, to declare the questionnaire and functioning from the preparation of the questionnaire and the functioning to the real calculation, classification, and the final publication of the data,” said the CWC Resolvement.
The CWC proposal said, “After 11 years of continuous opposition and stubborn refusal, the Modi government has finally demanded the Indian National Congress as part of the next census to collect population data caste-wise.” It said that for 11 years, the Prime Minister attacked the Congress leadership to increase this demand.
The CWC stated that the model chased by Telangana provides an effective and inclusive structure that should be followed by the Government of India. The CWC strongly urged the Central Government to adopt a uniform approach to the national caste census. (AI)
