Monthly Archives: August 2018

Demands accountability from the highest levels of the government

Animesh Singh Tribune News Service

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra speaks during a debate in the Lok Sabha on the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor at the monsoon session of Parliament in New Delhi on Tuesday. PTI

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the government in Parliament, questioning how and why the Pahalgam terror attack took place and why a popular tourist destination was left unguarded. Speaking during the Lok Sabha debate on Operation Sindoor, she demanded accountability from the highest levels of the government.

The Defence Minister spoke for an hour. Other ruling party MPs also spoke. Everything was discussed — from Operation Sindoor to terrorism, national security and history. But one topic was conspicuously skipped. On April 22, when 26 persons were killed in front of their families, how did this attack happen, and why?” she asked.

Priyanka pointed out that the government had repeatedly claimed that terrorism had been eradicated from Kashmir and had been actively encouraging tourism in the Valley. “Why wasn’t a single soldier deployed there? Did the government not know that 1,000 to 1,500 people visit the area daily? There was no security, no first aid. These people went there ‘sarkaar bharose’ (trusting the government), and the government left them ‘bhagwan bharose’ (to God’s mercy),” she said.

She questioned whether the Prime Minister, the Defence Minister, the Home Minister and the National Security Adviser (NSA) were not responsible for ensuring the safety of citizens. Citing data, she said The Resistance Front (TRF) —the terror outfit that claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam attack — was declared a terrorist organisation three years after its formation in 2019, despite being involved in 22 terror incidents between 2020 and 2025, including the Reasi attack.

“The ruling party claims they were aware of all this, yet not a single agency got wind of the planning of this heinous attack. Isn’t that a complete failure of our security apparatus?” she said.

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Drawing a parallel with the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, Priyanka said, “They talk about 2008 and say the Manmohan Singh government did nothing. But all terrorists, except one, were neutralised that day. The one who survived was hanged in 2012. The Maharashtra Chief Minister resigned, the Home Minister resigned. That was accountability.”

“If our country is attacked, every member in this House will stand with you. We’re proud of our armed forces. But while the Prime Minister is eager to claim credit for Operation Sindoor, leadership is not just about taking credit—it is also about accepting responsibility,” she said.

Priyanka concluded her speech by solemnly reading out the names of all 26 victims killed in the Pahalgam attack.

Nadda apologises after uproar on ‘mental balance’ remark on Cong chief

During a special discussion on Operation Sindoor, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday said Home Minister Amit Shah must take responsibility for the “security lapse” that led to the Pahalgam terror attack.

He was citing Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha remarks.

“On July 14, Sinha accepted that the Pahalgam attack was undoubtedly a security failure,” Kharge said.

Citing terror attacks in Uri, Pulwama, Pathankot and Pahalgam, Kharge said, “It is clear from all these incidents that there have been repeated lapses in the country’s security. The Home Minister is responsible for these incidents, accountability must be fixed and he should resign from his position.”

Kharge also attacked the government pointing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s unscheduled visit to Pakistan in 2015. He said the PM was campaigning after the attack instead of reviewing national security.

“On April 24, the government had called an all-party meeting. The entire opposition was present at the meeting, but PM Modi did not attend. As soon as he returned from Saudi Arabia, he went to hold a rally in Bihar. Is this the seriousness of the PM towards national security?” he asked.

Continuing his attack on the Centre during the debate on Operation Sindoor, Kharge said the BJP has set “factories of lies”.

“There is not one Public Sector Unit that you have set up. You have only set up factories of lies. You talk about HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited), Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and other PSUs that we have created,” Kharge said.

The Congress president said the Home Minister visited Jammu and Kashmir on April 7 and 8 and added that the terror ecosystem had been crippled under their regime.

“If it was crippled, how was the Pahalgam attack carried out?” he said.

Kharge said Shah has said three terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack have been killed. “But what about the others? Where are they hiding? Why haven’t you been able to find them?” he asked.

Kharge also brought up the online trolling faced by Himanshi Narwal, wife of Naval officer Lt Vinay Narwal who was killed in the Pahalgam terrorist attack and foreign secretary Vikram Misri. “What actions did the BJP government take against these trolls?” he questioned.

The Upper House witnessed heated exchanges between the Opposition and treasury benches after Leader of the House JP Nadda made objectionable remarks against Kharge that he later withdrew and apologised.

After Kharge spoke for over an hour during the discussion on Operation Sindoor and the Pahalgam attack, Nadda accused him of “losing his mental balance” as he made some remarks against PM Modi.

Amid uproar by the opposition, Nadda got up to say that he had already “taken back” his words, while adding that if they hurt Kharge’s feelings, he would apologise for the same.

“We respect the LoP. I withdrew my words. I apologise if you are hurt. But you, too, were led by emotions. You went so astray that you were not mindful of even the dignity of the PM, that is sad,” he said.

Probably you too heard the leaders of various Political Parties participating in Discussion on “Operation Sindoor” .

Nation as such was looking for answers to following Questions ? :-

Q No 1. Was there any ‘Intelligence Failure’ in Pahalgam Massacre as accepted by Lt Governor of J & K. Who has been held responsible for this ‘Intelligence Failure’ ? ?

Q No 2. How did the ‘Fully Armed Terrorist ‘ from Pakistan managed to cross LOC and travel over 350 Kms to Pahalgam ?

Q No 3. On first night of ‘Operation Sindoor’ who and why did we inform Pakistan that we are coming to target ‘Terrorists Targets’ and we have no intention escalate ?

Q No 4. On the first night did we loose 4-6 of our fighters as claimed by Pakistan and confirmed by US President Donald Trump ?

Q No 5. How did US President Donald Trump announced that he succeeded in bringing ‘Cease Fire ‘ between India & Pakistan ? He has claimed this 29 times all over the world . Is US President ‘A Liar’ ??

Q No 6. Was China behind the success of Pakistan as claimed and confirmed by Lt Gen Rahul R Singh , Deputy Chief of Army. Why Political Leadership afraid to name China ?

After hearing the response of Govt , are we wiser on above Questions ? Well answer is Capital ‘NO’.

Ranjan Gogoi spoke well but Rahul Gandhi ‘EXCELLED’ and asked the above Questions DIRECTLY but Govt and its Leaders including RM , HM or Prime Minister have failed to answer the above Questions .