All-party resolve: Together in fight

New Delhi, February 16

At a meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in Parliament today, political parties condemned the February 14 Pulwama terror attack and expressed the country’s resolve to eliminate terrorism. Singh apprised the leaders of the security situation and steps taken by the government in the matter. 

In a three-point resolution, the meeting expressed solidarity with the families of the deceased CRPF jawans, while condemning the “dastardly” attack. 

Without naming any country, it noted that India, during the past three decades, had faced the scourge of cross-border terrorism. “We strongly condemn terrorism in all forms and the support being given to it across the border,” it read. “The entire nation speaks in one voice to express its determination to fight these challenges. Today we stand united in solidarity with our security forces in fighting terrorism and in defending the unity and integrity  of India,” the resolution further read.

Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad was the first to speak. Union Minister and LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan was the last.

The leaders appreciated the Home Minister’s promptness in convening the meeting.   Naresh Gujral of the SAD said: “All parties unequivocally extend cooperation with the government and expresss solidarity with the security forces.” 

Anand Sharma and Jyotiraditya Scindia (Congress), Farooq Abdullah (NC), Derek O’ Brien and Sudip Bandopadhya (TMC), D Raja (CPI), Jitendra Chowdhary (CPM), Jay Prakash Narayan Yadav (RJD), PS Chandumajra (SAD), Sanjay Raut (Shiv Sena), Upendra Khushwaha (RLSP) and SC Mishra (BSP) were among those who attended the meeting.

Azad demanded a meeting of presidents of all parties with PM Narendra Modi to discuss Pulwama and related issues. He was backed by Farooq Adullah and Left parties. But the Home Minister remained non-committal.

The leaders expressed concern over post-Pulwama violence in different parts of the country and the government’s inability to tackle it. They asked the Centre to issue an advisory to the states in this regard.

Farooq Abdullah, it is learnt, criticised the government for “tampering with” the security of Valley leaders. The Opposition pitched for a dialogue with all stakeholders in Kashmir, pointing out that the Centre had done little since leading an all-party delegation to the state three years ago. Sources privy to discussions claimed TMC leaders were reluctant to sign the all-party resolution.

Sanjay Raut of the Shiv Sena asked the government to emulate Indira Gandhi. “Stop harping on surgical strikes in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, which belongs to India. Follow Indira Gandhi and target Pakistan,” he is said to have suggested. — TNS