Pahalgam terror attack is direct assault on Indian state, the country is one in fighting: Kharge
Bengaluru (PTI): Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday termed the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed as a direct assault on the Indian state, and said that at this moment the entire nation is one with the government to fight the terrorists.
He urged the government to use all its strength to hunt down the terrorists, and also suggested that an all-party meeting be called to address the challenge of terrorism in a spirit of consensus.
"Very unfortunate incident happened in Pahalgam in Jammu & Kashmir and the terrorists dastardly killed innocent and unsuspecting tourists yesterday around 2:30 pm. This has deeply hurt, shocked and saddened us all. The Congress party unequivocally condemns this cowardly act of terror and those responsible for it in the strongest possible terms," Kharge said.
Addressing a press conference here, he said, this attack is a direct assault on the unity and integrity of our nation.
"Since the horrific Chittisinghpura massacre in 2000 this is among the most brazen and outrageous attempts by terrorists and separatists. We firmly reiterate that those who murdered unarmed and innocent civilians cannot be human," he said.
Noting that late last evening he spoke to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who was in Kashmir and to J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdulla and Congress leaders there, and gathered information, the AICC chief said, "Shah told me that they are going to take action drastically in that area."
The Congress Working Committee will meet at 11 am on April 24 at AICC office in New Delhi to discuss the terror attack, he said.
Stating that this is not a time for partisan politics, Kharge said, "it is a moment for collective resolve to ensure justice for those who lost their lives and for their grieving families by bringing the perpetrators of this terror attack to justice."
"In this moment we all are one with the government and together we have to fight such incidents, terrorists and whosoever fights against us. We will be one to save the country and for the country's unity and integrity," he said.
The entire nation is in shock and a Pakistani terrorist organisation has claimed responsibility, Kharge said, "we must give a fitting response and in this matter we are all one and we will fight. But, there should not be claims without doing or without properly managing and finger-pointing."
"We urge the government to use all its strength to hunt down the terrotist, it has been almost 22 hours now. The government must do everything possible to maintain tourists' confidence in the security arrangement of Jammu and Kashmir," he added.
"They should call an all-party meeting and take some advice. This is not politics, and we don't want politics in this situation," he said, adding that the Congress Party is committed to coordination and cooperation with the government to eliminate terrorism from its roots.
Tourists from various parts of the country were present at Pahalgam, and among the victims were Manjunath and Bharat Bhushan from Karnataka who also lost their lives, Kharge said, "I personally spoke to both the grieving wives of the victims and offered my condolences to them."
The Karnataka government has also deputed Labour Minister Santosh Lad, who is meeting victims in J&K, and nearly 200 tourists from Karnataka. He is also arranging flights for them to return, he said, "I also requested J&K CM Omar Abdullah to make arrangements for every tourist who wants to return. The (union) home minister also promised me that he shall also look after that."
Offering his condolences to the families of the deceased, the leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha pointed out that the summer season is just beginning, and this is the time when tourists start visiting the region.
"Tourism is the biggest source of income for Jammu and Kashmir's economy and its people. People of Kashmir depend only on tourism. Omar Abdulla told me that this year's economy has collapsed," he said, as he also noted that J&K is a union territory and not fully a state, and the responsibility of the Government of India is more.
Pointing out that the Amarnath Yatra is about to begin in a few days and lakhs of tourists take part in it every year, Kharge said, earlier there have been such attacks in this Yatra also. So the Yatris should be protected well and security should be tightened.
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Veteran Tamil film producer Rajan dies after jumping into Adyar River
Chennai (PTI): Veteran Tamil film producer K Rajan died after jumping into the Adyar River in the city on Sunday, police said.
Police said it appears to be a case of suicide, though the reason for his extreme step was not immediately known.
The 85-year-old film personality asked his driver to stop the car while crossing the Adyar bridge and suddenly got out and jumped into the river, police sources said.
The driver immediately alerted Fire and Rescue Services personnel, who reached the spot, recovered the body, and sent it for post-mortem.
Police have registered a case, and further investigation is underway.
Rajan entered the Tamil film industry as a producer in the early 1980s. Apart from producing films, he also directed a few movies.
He also served as president of a film distributors’ association.
Top leaders of political parties, including the two Dravidian majors—the DMK and AIADMK—expressed shock and grief over his death and conveyed their condolences to the bereaved family.
Former Chief Minister and DMK President M K Stalin said Rajan had always boldly raised his voice for the welfare of small film producers and the overall development of the film industry.
“He had always urged that Tamil films be titled in Tamil,” Stalin said in a statement, adding that Rajan consistently fought for the rights of ordinary workers in the film industry.
AIADMK general secretary and former Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami said Rajan’s voice was important in securing recognition for small-budget films in the Tamil film industry.
Among others who condoled his death was PMK founder S Ramadoss. Leaders from various parties also expressed their condolences to the bereaved family.
“This is terrible news. Deeply shocked to hear about the demise of our beloved member of the film fraternity, producer K Rajan sir,” actor and BJP leader Khushbu Sundar said in a post on social media platform X.
“He was a very respectful person and someone who never hesitated to call a spade a spade. This is very upsetting. May his soul rest in peace,” she added.
