Political leaders unite against terrorism after deadly attack in Jammu and Kashmir

On April 24, 2025, an all-party meeting was held in India to address the recent terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam that took place on April 22, claiming the lives of more than 20 innocent civilians, mostly tourists. The meeting was chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and was attended by several political leaders from various parties who gathered to express their outrage and solidarity in the face of this tragic event. A two-minute silence was observed at the beginning of the meeting to honor the victims of the attack, demonstrating the collective grief and unity among the leaders. Emerging from the meeting, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju described the discussions as “very positive,” highlighting that all participating leaders expressed strong support for the Central government's measures against Pakistan regarding terrorism. Rijiju reiterated the government's zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism, a stance that received unanimous endorsement from all parties present. This was underscored by Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, who affirmed that the Opposition fully backs any government actions taken in response to the attack. He stated, “We have made it clear that whatever action the government takes in this matter, the Opposition will support it.” During the deliberations, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge emphasized the importance of concerted efforts to ensure peace in Jammu and Kashmir, urging all political entities to join forces in preventing future attacks. Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav appealed to the media and social media platforms to avoid fostering any divisions within the nation at such a critical juncture, reinforcing the need for national unity amid the prevailing tensions. In response to the situation, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi pointed out how the United Nations Security Council prohibits countries from funding terrorism, calling attention to Pakistan's long-standing violations of this rule. As the meeting concluded after approximately two hours of discussions, attendees reaffirmed their commitment to national security and unity. The Central government disclosed that strict measures were enacted against Pakistan immediately following the attack to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. This meeting not only reflected the profound public outrage felt across the nation due to the attacks but also conveyed a unified message from both sides of the political spectrum: India stands resolutely together against terrorism and is committed to enhancing the security of its citizens.