"Opposition's right to demand special Parliament session over Pahalgam attack": Ghulam Nabi Azad

New Delhi [India], April 29 (ANI): Democratic Progressive Azad Party President Ghulam Nabi Azad on Tuesday said that the Opposition is well within its rights to demand a special session of Parliament in response to the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, adding that so far, there has been a unanimous call for unity among all political parties on the matter.
Speaking to ANI, Ghulam Nabi Azad said, "It is the right of the Opposition, you cannot deny them. So far, all the political parties have given very responsible statements. There have only been talks of unity. Just a resolution has to be passed in the Parliament, so I don't think any political party would stand against the government."
The Democratic Progressive Azad Party Chief also highlighted the unprecedented public reaction to the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, stating that for the first time, people took to the streets voluntarily--without political prompting--to denounce terrorism, including attacks on religious sites.
"In the past, street protests only happened when led by political leaders. This time, people themselves stepped forward," Azad said, emphasising the emergence of a strong anti-terror environment among Muslims in Kashmir.
He criticised the lack of media coverage of these protests, stating that a broader broadcast would have sent a firm message to Pakistan.
"If the protests were covered by the media properly, Pakistan would have got a good reply. There is no sympathy left for Pakistan in the hearts of Kashmiris," he asserted.
Earlier in the day, amid the Opposition's demand for a special session of Parliament over the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Janata Dal (United) also extended its support to the NDA's collective stance.
Speaking to ANI, JD(U) leader Rajiv Ranjan Prasad said, "Whatever decision is taken after the participation of all parties in the NDA and mutual consultation, JD(U) has always supported them in the past. Our stand is clear -- we are committed to the decisions taken with mutual consent in the NDA, and whatever decision the NDA leadership takes on this matter, we are with them."
This comes after Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the government to convene a special session of both Houses of Parliament in the wake of the Pahalgam attack.
In his letter, Gandhi stated that the attack had outraged every Indian and emphasised the need for a unified response."The terrorist attack in Pahalgam has outraged every Indian. At this critical time, India must show that we will always stand together against terrorism," the letter reads.
He further stated that the Opposition believes a special session should be held to allow representatives of the people to express their unity and resolve.
"The Opposition believes that a special session of both Houses of Parliament should be convened, where the representatives of the people can show their unity and determination. We request that such a special session be convened at the earliest," the letter added.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressing the party's call for the government to convene a special session of both Houses of Parliament in response to the attack.
In his letter, Kharge stated that the proposed session would be a platform to express a joint stance on the attack and would demonstrate a collective resolve to address the situation.
The Congress President also noted that the opposition's beliefs in unity and solidarity are the need of the hour.
The request comes amid increased political focus on national security and responses to terrorism, amidst outrage and mourning following the terror attack on April 22. (ANI)