New Delhi: In the wake of the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 36 people, including 35 tourists and a local resident, Congress leaders have urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to convene a special session of Parliament to demonstrate national unity and chart a collective response.
Congress President and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, has written to the Prime Minister stressing the importance of parliamentary solidarity in this time of crisis. In a separate letter, Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, echoed the demand.
In his letter, Mr. Kharge wrote, “Hon’ble Prime Minister, at this moment, when unity and solidarity are essential, the Opposition believes that it is important to convene a special session of both Houses of Parliament at the earliest. This will be a powerful demonstration of our collective resolve and will to deal with the brutal terror attack in Pahalgam on innocent citizens on April 22, 2025.”
Congress MP Jairam Ramesh shared Mr. Kharge’s letter on social media platform X.
Rahul Gandhi also emphasized the symbolic importance of a joint session in a separate communication to the Prime Minister. “The terrorist attack in Pahalgam has outraged every Indian. At this critical time, India must show that we will always stand together against terrorism,” he wrote. “The Opposition believes that a special session of both Houses of Parliament should be convened… We request that such a special session be convened at the earliest.”
The Budget Session of Parliament concluded on April 4, and the Monsoon Session is scheduled for July. The call for a special session comes amid rising tensions with Pakistan, which India suspects had a role in the April 22 attack in the Baisaran Valley, where unarmed civilians were gunned down.
The government had earlier convened an all-party meeting to brief opposition leaders on its planned response. Both Kharge and Gandhi have assured full opposition support for any decisive action taken by the government.
Prime Minister Modi condemned the Pahalgam attack, describing it as an assault on the nation’s soul. “There is grief and rage from Kargil to Kanyakumari. This attack was not just on tourists—it was an audacious strike against India’s very spirit,” he said.
Vowing a strong retaliation, he added, “The terrorists and their handlers will receive a punishment they cannot imagine. The time has come to raze whatever remains of the terror haven. The will of 140 crore Indians will crush the back of terror’s masters.”
In response to the attack, the Indian government has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty and halted visa services for Pakistani nationals. Pakistan has retaliated by threatening to revoke all bilateral agreements with India, including the 1972 Simla Agreement, which formalizes the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir.
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