Can never forget Painful Moments of Pahalgam: Union Minister Amit Shah

New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah, on Wednesday, lambasted the Congress party for 'prioritising' political motive over national interests and also recalled the poignant moments of Pahalgam terror attack, when 26 innocent tourists were gunned down by Pakistani terrorists on April 22.

Sending a strong message to terrorists and their masters, Home Minister Shah vowed to make Jammu and Kashmir terrorism-free, saying that it is the long-standing commitment of Narendra Modi government to bring peace and stability in the region. Joining the debate on Operation Sindoor in Rajya Sabha, the Home Minister told the House that when the Pahalgam massacre happened, he spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and reached the spot on the same day to take stock and show solidarity with the affected families.

"I can never forget those painful moments of April 22 terror attack. I met a woman, widowed just after six days of marriage and many families whose members were shot dead in front of their eyes. The agony and anguish of Pahalgam victims still remain fresh in my mind," he said. He added that there has never been an incident when innocent people were singled out and killed on basis of religion.

"The disturbing images of Pahalgam attack are enough to shake the conscience of everyone, including me," Home Minister Shah added.

He also lambasted the Opposition for questioning the timing of 'Operation Mahadev' and rebuked the Congress party for keeping political interests above national security.

"Some are asking why Pahalgam attackers were killed just when the Parliament started debating Operation Sindoor. The whole nation is watching the Congress, their focus has never been national security but scoring political points, their focus is on undermining the forces than lauding their valour," he said. The Home Minister also informed the House about the swift action taken by the Union Cabinet, after the Pahalgam attack, for bringing the perpetrators to justice and also to penalise Pakistan for fomenting terror on the Indian territory.

Amit Shah on Wednesday listed out several Congress-era errors, leading to the formation of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and loss of vast swathes of land to enemy nations and also tore into the grand old party’s appeasement politics for political gains.  Speaking on Operation Sindoor debate, the Home Minister held Congress' policies responsible for multiple acts of terror in the country, while categorically stating that Hindus can never be terrorists.

HM Shah said that the desperation of the Congress party for a certain vote bank, in all these years, emboldened the terrorists and their motives.

Blasting the previous Congress regimes for coining ‘saffron terror’, he said that the grand old party demonised the majority community i.e. Hindus for its myopic political gains.

Recalling the Batla House encounter, he said that the Congress party abandoned its own forces and stood with Pakistan-sponsored terrorists for appeasing a certain community.

“When the country mourned the demise of brave cop Mohan Sharma in Batla House encounter, Sonia Gandhi wept for the Batla House shooters,” he said, questioning the absurd politicking of Congress party. The Home Minister also rebutted Congress’ China jab and spoke about instances when the latter’s conduct looked dubious and diabolical.

“When our forces were engaging with enemy forces during Doklam face-off, the Congress leaders were clandestinely meeting Chinese officials. What kind of politics is this?” he questioned. Responding to Chidambaram’s charge that Operation Sindoor was not decisive, he asked the principal opposition party whether the 1965, 1971 battles were final and decisive and if Pakistan stopped spreading terror after being then taught a lesson.

He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government has instilled fear in the minds and hearts of terrorists across the border and whenever the terror elements will rear its head, "our Army will crush them again".(IANS)

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