Modi on Pulwama attack's 7th anniversary: 'World saw how govt punished terrorists'
New Delhi (PTI): Tributes were paid to the soldiers killed in the Pulwama attack, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserting that the world has seen how the government responded to the terror attack that took place seven years ago.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also praised the prime minister at a rally in poll-bound Puducherry for his "decisive leadership" and "resolute action" against terrorism, hailing the Balakot airstrike carried out after the Pulwama attack and Operation Sindoor undertaken after the Pahalgam attack.
Several chief ministers and top Congress leaders paid tributes to the soldiers killed and said their service to the nation would always be remembered.
A suicide bomber crashed his explosive-laden vehicle into a bus ferrying Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel on February 14, 2019, killing 40 jawans.
Days later, India launched a retaliatory attack, which came to be known as the Balakot airstrike.
Vice President C P Radhakrishnan paid homage to the CRPF personnel who lost their lives, saying their sacrifice will forever remain etched in the nation's memory.
In a post on X, Modi said, "Remembering the brave heroes who laid down their lives in Pulwama on this day in 2019. Their devotion, resolve and service to the nation remain forever etched in our collective consciousness. Every Indian draws strength from their enduring courage."
Addressing a public meeting in Guwahati at poll-bound Assam, Modi said the world has seen how the government responded to the terror attack. "After the terror attack, the entire world saw how India punished these terrorists."
He added that Operation Sindoor, which was carried out following the terror attack in Pahalgam last year, was also evidence of India's response to terror attacks.
"The Congress did nothing to protect the nation's security but gave only statements and indulged in scams while buying weapons," Modi alleged.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge took to X to pay tributes to the soldiers killed in the attack. He said their indomitable courage and unflinching devotion to the nation will forever be etched in the nation's collective memory.
Rahul Gandhi, in a Hindi post on X, said, "My heartfelt tributes to our brave soldiers who were martyred in the audacious terrorist attack in Pulwama in 2019.
"The nation will forever remain indebted to them for their supreme sacrifice in the defence of Mother India."
Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha said the soldiers' unwavering commitment, unparalleled bravery and selfless service to the motherland will forever inspire every citizen.
The chief ministers of Punjab, West Bengal, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana also hailed the soldiers' sacrifice.
In a post on X, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee said, "I salute today the brave CRPF jawans who were victims of the Pulwama incident on this day in 2019."
UP CM Adityanath said, "Salute to all the brave sons of Mother India who sacrificed their lives in the cowardly terrorist attack in Pulwama. The sacrifice of our immortal soldiers is a proclamation of the invincible resolve of Indian valour, which always inspires us to eradicate terrorism from its roots. Jai Hind."
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu said while the world marks February 14 as a day of love, it was also a day to acknowledge "the greatest love of all, the love for one's nation. Their bravery will never be forgotten, and their families will always be in our prayers."
Manipur Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh, in a post on X, said, "On this solemn day, we bow our heads in profound respect and remembrance of the brave martyrs who made the supreme sacrifice in the tragic terror attack at Pulwama."
"The people of Manipur stand in complete solidarity with the families of our fallen heroes and reaffirm our collective resolve to uphold the unity, integrity, and sovereignty of our great nation," Singh said.
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann posted on X, "We pay our heartfelt tribute to all the martyrs who laid down their lives in the Pulwama terror attack. Our nation will forever remember the sacrifice of these brave soldiers."
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said the "supreme sacrifice of mother India's valiant sons is an indelible symbol of the nation's unity, security, and resolve. Their indomitable courage and patriotism forever inspire us to stand united and firm against terrorism."
Senior leaders and workers of the Jammu and Kashmir unit of the BJP visited Lethpora, the site of the attack in south Kashmir's Pulwama district and paid floral tributes.
BJP's J-K spokesperson Altaf Thakur said the bravery of the slain CRPF personnel has brought peace and progress to Kashmir.
He, however, criticised Kashmir-based political parties for not paying tribute to the martyrs.
"If a terrorist dies, these regional parties visit their homes for mourning, but none of them came here today to pay tribute to our soldiers," Thakur said.
Former Manipur CM Biren Singh, UP deputy chief ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak, and TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee also paid homage to the CRPF personnel.
In a post on X, Abhishek Banerjee said the soldiers' deaths call for accountability, vigilance, and a robust national strategy against the forces that threaten our sovereignty.
"As a nation, we owe our martyrs transparency in matters of security, unity beyond partisan divides and a commitment to protecting every life," the TMC leader said.
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Karnataka to approach SC seeking permission to continue MGNREGA
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka Cabinet on Thursday decided to approach the Supreme Court seeking permission to continue implementation of MGNREGA in the state, contending that the Centre had repealed the rural employment guarantee law without consultation and failed to put in place any alternative mechanism under the VB-G RAM G Act.
Briefing reporters after the Cabinet meeting, Karnataka Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil said the state would immediately move the apex court seeking permission to prepare and implement the annual action plan for rural employment works, while also challenging what it described as an infringement on the constitutional rights of states.
The parliament passed VB-G RAM G in December that replaces MGNREGA.
Patil explained that the Cabinet decided to approach the court seeking permission for the State Government to prepare an action plan in this regard. Since the Centre’s stand interferes with the constitutional rights of state governments, the Cabinet has also decided to challenge this issue before the appropriate court
“There are two points here. One is that they have come in the way of our constitutional right of providing the right to work. That has been halted, and, therefore, the State Government has decided to approach the Supreme Court. The second point is that the Government of India has not provided any alternative,” the Minister said.
The Central Government has not yet issued a notification to implement the VB-G RAM G Act, nor has it made any alternative arrangements and hence continuing Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) is unavoidable in the public interest, the Minister said.
“Therefore, in the interest of the public, farmers and agricultural labourers, we must continue MGNREGA. For that purpose, the Cabinet has decided to approach the court seeking permission for the State Government to prepare the action plan for this year,” he added.
The Minister also said the Centre had only permitted continuation of pending and spillover MGNREGA works without releasing grants or announcing a fresh action plan.
“The Centre itself has said that pending, spillover and half-done MGNREGA works can continue. That means MGNREGA is actually still functioning in practice. But there is no new action plan,” he said.
Patil said the state had already passed a resolution on the issue, while Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had written to the Prime Minister and the Rural Development Minister had held discussions with Union Ministers.
Replying to questions, the minister said the state would move court “as immediately as possible.”
He clarified that the state was seeking permission to formulate and implement this year’s action plan under the existing framework.
“What we are asking the Supreme Court is to allow us to have the action plan for this year and implement it,” he said.
The Cabinet also held detailed discussions on the final report submitted by the State Education Policy Commission headed by former UGC chairman Professor Sukhadeo Thorat.
Patil said a Cabinet sub-committee would be constituted to examine the report and recommend measures for implementation.
“No decision has been taken yet. The Cabinet sub-committee will recommend what should be accepted and what should be modified,” he said.
He said the report comprised around eight volumes and covered issues relating to financial implications, human resources, curriculum reforms, deemed universities, unitary universities and newly established universities. The Chief Minister has been authorised to constitute the sub-committee.
The Cabinet also approved the Karnataka Motor Transport and Other Related Workers’ Social Security and Welfare Amendment Bill, 2026, transferring welfare administration of transport-related workers from the Labour Department to the Transport Department.
The Cabinet further approved establishment of three new industrial estates in Kalaburagi, Yadgir and Surpur under the Karnataka State Small Industries Development Corporation and Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board schemes at an estimated cost of Rs 200 crore.
The Cabinet also approved amendments to Karnataka Civil Services (General Recruitment) Rules, 2026, providing two per cent reservation in state civil services appointments for sportspersons.
