All parties demanded to curb attempts to spread communal hatred in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack, says Sanjay Singh
NEW DELHI — The absence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the crucial all-party meeting on national security on Friday is a “serious lapse in leadership,” the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has said.
The party’s Rajya Sabha MP, Sanjay Singh, berated the prime minister for choosing to attend a political event in Bihar rather than attending the crucial meeting.
He said the opposition also demanded to curb attempts to spread communal hatred in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack.
Addressing the media after the meeting, Sanjay Singh said: “This was a critical meeting on national security, following a cowardly terrorist attack that claimed the lives of innocent civilians. The prime minister’s absence sent a disappointing message. It was raised by several members across party lines,” said Singh.
Singh stated that while the opposition parties extended their support to the government in the fight against terrorism, they also demanded a strong and immediate response.
“The entire country is outraged by this brutal attack. We are united in demanding a befitting reply. The terrorists and the infrastructure supporting them must be destroyed, and Pakistan, where this is being orchestrated from, must be held directly accountable,” he said.
Singh revealed alarming details about the lead-up to the attack, describing it as a “painful and absurd” security failure.
“The site of the attack was opened to tourists on April 20 without any intimation to the police, the army, the CRPF, or intelligence agencies. Two days later, terrorists struck. When thousands of people visit a location without the knowledge of security forces, and an attack happens, it points to a massive intelligence lapse. This cannot be brushed aside,” Singh said, calling for a transparent investigation and accountability at all levels.
According to Singh, the government failed to give clear or satisfactory answers regarding the security lapse.
“Once again, we received the same vague and traditional responses — no clarity, no responsibility. On a matter as serious as national security, this kind of evasiveness is unacceptable.”
Singh also raised concerns over the surge in hateful content on social media and in certain sections of the mainstream media following the attack.
“Several parties, including some from the ruling alliance, stressed the need to curb attempts to spread communal hatred in the aftermath of the attack. Such narratives threaten national harmony. The focus must remain on defeating terrorism, not dividing the country.”
Singh reiterated the Aam Aadmi Party’s demand for strict action against those responsible for the attack, a serious review of the security and intelligence failure, and a collective effort to preserve peace and unity in the country.
