In the aftermath of the deadly April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people—mostly tourists—senior Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge have formally written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to convene a special session of Parliament to demonstrate national unity and resolve.
Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, emphasized in his letter that such a session would allow elected representatives to stand together in solidarity, sending a strong message in response to the tragedy. “Representatives of the people must show their unity and determination,” he wrote.
Echoing this call, Congress President and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, said the session would serve as a “powerful demonstration of our collective willpower” in confronting terrorism. Kharge added that unity is essential at this moment, and Parliament must reflect the nation’s grief and outrage.
Multiple opposition MPs have also joined in demanding the special session, underscoring the magnitude of the terror strike and the need for a unified political response.
The demand for a session comes amid growing criticism of the Modi government’s handling of the situation. Kharge, at a Congress rally in Rajasthan on April 28, sharply criticized the Prime Minister for skipping an all-party meeting convened on the attack, accusing the BJP of failing to rise above political divisions during a national crisis.
India has officially linked the Pahalgam massacre to cross-border terrorism, holding Pakistan-based elements responsible and vowing stern retaliation. The call for a Parliamentary session is widely seen as an effort to maintain democratic accountability while projecting national cohesion.
