In a charged atmosphere within the Lok Sabha, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra confronted the government over its handling of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 Indian citizens. The incident sparked heated exchanges between the Treasury and Opposition benches as Gandhi read out the names of the victims, emphasizing the need for accountability and questioning the government's silence on critical issues.

During a special discussion on Operation Sindoor, Gandhi criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party-led (BJP) Centre, accusing it of shirking responsibility and reducing national tragedies to political talking points. "This government always tries to escape the questions," she stated, "They have no sense of accountability towards the citizens of the nation. The truth is that they have no place for the public in their heart. For them, everything is politics, publicity...".

Gandhi questioned the absence of adequate security measures for tourists in the Pahalgam area, a well-known tourist destination. "Did the government not know thousands of tourists go to Baisaran Valley? Why was there no security? Why were they left at God's mercy?" she asked, highlighting the apparent lack of preventive measures. She further pressed the government on how and why the attack occurred, holding top leaders accountable for the security lapses.

The Congress MP also responded to attempts to give a communal spin to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, asserting that they were "Bharatiye" (Indians). This retort came after some MPs reportedly said the victims were "Hindus". Gandhi's emphasis on the victims' shared nationality aimed to counter any divisive narratives and underscore the collective loss suffered by the nation.

Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, also met with the family of Shubham Dwivedi, one of the victims of the Pahalgam attack, in Kanpur. He expressed his condolences and assured the family that the entire country stood with them in their grief. Rahul Gandhi also spoke with Dwivedi's wife, Eshanya, and conveyed that he too had lost his grandmother and father in terrorist attacks. He further stated that he would appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to grant Shubham "martyr" status.

The Pahalgam attack and its aftermath have brought the issue of security in Jammu and Kashmir into sharp focus. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of tourists and the effectiveness of the government's counter-terrorism strategies. The Opposition's criticism and demands for accountability highlight the need for a thorough review of security protocols and a comprehensive approach to address the underlying causes of terrorism in the region.