The tragic terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians, has reignited fierce political and national security debates. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has emerged as one of the leading voices calling for immediate parliamentary intervention, pressing the government to convene a special session to reassess its Kashmir strategy.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The April 22 attack targeted civilians—mostly tourists—near the Baisaran Valley. Gunmen believed to be affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba opened fire after allegedly identifying victims by religion. This chilling incident marks one of the worst targeted civilian attacks in the region in recent years.
Political Accountability in Focus
Speaking to the press in New Delhi, Kharge called the attack “a sobering reminder of the ground realities in Kashmir” and asked the Prime Minister to break his silence with a “frank address to the nation, followed by an honest parliamentary discussion.”
Kharge argued that government projections of peace and progress in Jammu and Kashmir have not matched ground realities. “It’s time we stop hiding behind celebratory optics. A terror attack of this nature doesn’t happen in a secure state,” he said.
Congress has demanded:
- A full internal security briefing in Parliament
- Disclosure of intelligence reports related to the attack
- A review of infiltration along the Line of Control
- Discussion on the civilian protection framework in Jammu and Kashmir
A Divide Over Strategy
The Modi government, while acknowledging the severity of the incident, maintains that such attacks are “acts of desperation” by terrorist outfits frustrated by India’s developmental push in Kashmir. Home Minister Amit Shah told the Lok Sabha that “normalcy has returned in most of the Valley, but we cannot eliminate sporadic threats overnight.”
However, opposition leaders like Kharge argue that this reasoning downplays systemic flaws. “How do we explain a coordinated attack in a tourist zone if everything is under control?” Kharge asked. He further questioned whether security intelligence and local enforcement were adequately resourced or briefed.
Regional Instability on the Rise?
Security experts point out that despite increasing investment in surveillance and counter-insurgency infrastructure post-Article 370, militants continue to operate with relative ease in certain areas. The Pahalgam attack, they say, reveals both a tactical and ideological evolution of terrorism in Kashmir—from random violence to symbolic, targeted actions designed to divide communities.
Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Syed A. Husain, a former Northern Command officer, stated, “The enemy is changing tactics. We need joint intelligence operations, not just military deployments. The call for a special session of Parliament may help put these issues in the spotlight.”
Civilian Voices Demand Peace
In the Valley, where people are caught between security crackdowns and militant threats, the response has been one of exhaustion and grief. Local shopkeepers, students, and workers expressed concern that any rise in tensions will disproportionately affect their lives and livelihood.
“Every time there is violence, tourism stops, checkpoints go up, and our lives become harder,” said Sameer Wani, a local cafe owner. “We want peace, not politics.”
Kharge acknowledged these sentiments, saying that the special session must also involve voices from the region. “We cannot rebuild Kashmir without listening to Kashmiris. This debate must not be held in isolation from those living through the crisis.”
Path Forward
While the government has yet to confirm whether it will convene a special session, the conversation is shifting. National security, previously relegated to closed-door discussions, is increasingly becoming a public issue—and Kharge’s insistence on debate may set a precedent.
