NEW DELHI, Apr 24: The Congress Working Committee (CWC) convened an urgent meeting in New Delhi on Thursday to deliberate over the devastating terror attack that struck Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, earlier this week. The high-level meeting, held at the party’s headquarters at 24 Akbar Road, was attended by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, senior leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, along with key general secretaries including K C Venugopal, Jairam Ramesh, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, among others.
The session began on a solemn note, with all leaders observing a minute of silence to pay tribute to the innocent victims who lost their lives in the attack. The gravity of the situation was underscored by Rahul Gandhi’s decision to cut short his ongoing visit to the United States in order to return and participate in the discussions, signaling the party’s deep concern over the incident.
As the nation grapples with the shock of the terror strike at Baisaran, a popular tourist destination near Pahalgam in South Kashmir, the Congress leadership emphasized the need for unity and decisive action. In the wake of the attack, which claimed the lives of 26 individuals, predominantly tourists, Kharge and Rahul Gandhi engaged in discussions with Home Minister Amit Shah, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and senior party leaders from the Union Territory to receive firsthand updates on the situation and the response measures being taken.
During the meeting, the Congress leadership reiterated its stance that terrorism is a collective challenge that transcends political divides. Kharge, in particular, described the attack as a direct assault on the Indian State, asserting that the nation must rally together to confront and defeat the forces of terror. He stressed that the Congress party stands firmly behind the Government of India in its fight against terrorism and called for a spirit of national solidarity rather than political bickering.
Kharge further urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is scheduled to chair an all-party meeting later in the evening, to build consensus across the political spectrum. He emphasized that all political parties must be taken into confidence, ensuring that the response to terrorism is both collective and resolute. In his remarks, he suggested that a robust and coordinated strategy be adopted to not only hunt down those responsible for the Pahalgam attack but also to strengthen the overall security framework to prevent future tragedies.
The Congress leadership underscored the need for the government to deploy all its resources and capacities to bring the perpetrators to justice swiftly. While affirming full support for decisive action, they cautioned against any politicization of the tragedy, advocating instead for a unified, non-partisan approach to national security challenges.
Sources indicated that the CWC is preparing to pass a formal resolution condemning the attack unequivocally, expressing grief for the victims, and extending full solidarity with the affected families. The resolution is also expected to highlight the Congress party’s unwavering commitment to the fight against terrorism and its belief that such threats can only be overcome through national unity and unwavering determination.
The emergency meeting reflects the Congress party’s broader approach of prioritizing the nation’s security interests over political differences during times of crisis. It also sends a clear message that in the face of terrorism, India’s democratic institutions and political leadership must work together, transcending partisan considerations to safeguard the nation’s sovereignty and the lives of its citizens.
In these difficult times, the Congress leadership has called upon all Indians to stand together in remembrance of the victims and in defiance of those who seek to spread fear and violence. The tragedy at Pahalgam has once again served as a painful reminder of the persistent threats that India faces and the urgent need for vigilance, resilience, and collective action.