In the wake of the brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, Rajesh Kumar Sethi, National Coordinator of the AICC Minority Department and senior Congress leader from Nagaland, has strongly condemned the assault that claimed many innocent lives. Expressing deep grief, Sethi said, “Many innocent lives have been lost, and once again, the entire nation is shaken.” He conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and called for immediate, high-quality medical care and compensation for the victims.
Sethi’s condemnation came on the heels of an outpouring of grief from other prominent Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi. The former Congress President shared his sorrow, stating, “I have spoken to Home Minister Amit Shah, Jammu & Kashmir’s Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and Pradesh Congress President Tariq Karra regarding the horrific Pahalgam attack. I have taken stock of the situation. The victims and their families deserve justice and our full support.”
Imran Pratapgarhi, National President of the AICC Minority Department and Rajya Sabha MP, also expressed his sorrow on social media, calling the attack “cowardly” and “unforgivable.” On “X,” Pratapgarhi condemned the targeting of tourists, which left several dead and many injured. “The entire nation stands united against terrorism. Instead of hollow claims of normalcy in Jammu & Kashmir, the government must now show accountability and take concrete action,” he tweeted.
The Congress party has been vocal about what it perceives as an ongoing failure of the Modi government in handling national security issues. Sethi questioned the legitimacy of the government’s claims of a peaceful Jammu & Kashmir post-abrogation of Article 370, stating, “The so-called ‘New Kashmir’ is drowning in blood and fear—peace and development are nowhere to be seen.”
Sethi continued by accusing the BJP government of politicizing security concerns but failing to address real crises. “This is not the first instance of intelligence failure—it’s yet another tragic chapter in the long series of failures under the Modi-Shah regime,” he said.
In a pointed critique, Sethi demanded accountability from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. He asked, “How many more lives must be lost before they accept responsibility? Speeches are no longer enough—they must answer to the people.”
The Congress party has laid out its demands in the wake of the attack:
- A transparent investigation into the security lapses behind the Pahalgam attack.
- Immediate relief and compensation for the victims and their families.
- A comprehensive review of the current security policy in Jammu & Kashmir, with input from all stakeholders.
- The immediate resignation of Home Minister Amit Shah.
Sethi went further, invoking a previous remark by Prime Minister Modi when he was in opposition. “Today, we want to ask Prime Minister Narendra Modi the same question he once asked Congress: ‘How do terrorists enter the country with weapons despite such tight border security?’ Do you have the courage to answer that now, Mr. Modi?”
“Your government is approaching a decade in power. Back then, you were in the opposition—today, you hold the reins of authority. Isn’t it now your responsibility to provide answers?”
According to Sethi, the Pahalgam attack highlights the failures of the current security policies under the Modi-Shah regime. “Borders are more sensitive than ever, and yet, terrorists not only infiltrate but also claim the lives of innocents.”
The Congress leader concluded by stating, “National security is not a slogan—it is a sacred duty. Once again, the BJP has failed the nation. The people of India deserve leadership that delivers action, not just publicity.”