Capital Beat: Will govt convene special Parliament session on Pahalgam?

In this episode of Capital Beat, hosted by Neelu Vyas, panelists Muzaffar Shah, Vice President of the Awami National Conference, and Puneet Nicholas Yadav, Political Editor at The Federal, discuss the Congress party's demand for a special session of Parliament in the wake of the deadly Pahalgam terror attack. With Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge having separately written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the debate examines whether the government will concede to the Opposition’s call and what such a session could achieve.

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi have each written letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking a special Parliament session following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 25 tourists and a Kashmiri citizen on April 22. According to Puneet Nicholas Yadav, the letters were shared by the Congress' communications department, and though other MPs had raised similar demands earlier, these appeals carry significant weight due to Kharge and Rahul’s senior positions.

Also read: Major powers expect restraint as world waits for India’s response to Pahalgam attack

"More important than the timing is whether the government will concede to the demand," Yadav said, highlighting that no response had yet come from the Centre.

Will the govt agree?

Yadav explained that discussions were initially underway among Opposition leaders to make a joint representation, but eventually, separate letters were sent. While political observers are unsure if the government will agree to a special session, Yadav emphasised, "There’s no reason why the government should deny it. Parliament is the best platform to discuss such issues."

Addressing doubts about the government’s silence, Yadav suggested that although the Centre had convened an all-party meeting after the attack, proactive acceptance of a parliamentary debate could have sent a stronger message.

View from ground zero

Joining from Kashmir, Muzaffar Shah stressed the urgency of convening Parliament. "We live in a democratic India and must follow the Constitution. A serious situation has taken place in Kashmir," he said. Shah pointed out that government claims about normalcy in Kashmir collapsed after the attack and emphasised the need for accountability from the Union home ministry and the Lieutenant Governor of J&K.

Shah raised crucial concerns: "With almost a million forces around, how did four or five attackers get in? Why were there no police or paramilitary at a place filled with tourists?"

Demonising Kashmiris

Both panellists discussed the worrisome trend of demonising Kashmiris post-attack. Shah strongly criticised attacks on Kashmiri students and businesses outside the Valley. "The home minister should have instructed states to protect Kashmiris as our own citizens," he said, questioning the government’s silence on these retaliatory actions.

Yadav echoed the concern, noting, "The government has failed to issue even a single appeal to stop the hate narrative against Kashmiris."

Political vs symbolic gestures

The panelists agreed that merely convening Parliament is not enough; it must result in meaningful discussions. Shah argued that a Parliament session should focus on tangible outcomes, not just symbolic unity: "We need serious answers: who is responsible for the security lapse?"

Yadav warned that discussions must not deteriorate into political mudslinging between the government and Opposition. "You need to understand what is different about the Pahalgam attack, including the targeting of Hindus, and its socio-political impact," he stressed.

Govt’s silence under scrutiny

Discussing the government's response so far, Vyas and Yadav highlighted the lack of accountability. While BJP leaders like Nishikant Dubey have made provocative remarks, serious introspection from the top leadership has been missing.

Also read: China extends ‘ironclad’ support to Pak amid tensions with India over Pahalgam attack

"Is a public rally the only place for the prime minister to talk about the Pahalgam attack? Shouldn’t he address Parliament and the people directly?" Yadav questioned, condemning the rhetoric-heavy response.

Shah added that the prime minister's absence from Kashmir post-attack was glaring: "The PM’s visit would have sent a strong message of unity and solidarity." The coming days will reveal whether Parliament will rise to the occasion and provide the forum for critical discussions that Kashmir and the country urgently need.

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