After 3-hour meeting on Pahalgam attack, J&K parties back ‘steps taken by Union govt’

The J&K parties also appealed to state governments across the country to come forward with an “unwavering commitment” to protect Kashmiri students and other residents “who find themselves far from home”. “These individuals, whether travelling or residing outside Jammu and Kashmir, must be safeguarded against any form of harassment, discrimination, or intimidation,” the resolution states.

At the end of a three-hour meeting at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Conference Centre in Srinagar, Omar read out the resolution. Expressing deep shock and anguish at the “barbaric attack”, the resolution reads, “Such cowardly acts of brutality against peaceful citizens have no place in society and are a direct assault on the values of Kashmiriyat and the idea of India which have long been a symbol of unity, peace, and harmony in the region.”

Underlining their commitment to all efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice, the resolution states, “In doing so, we affirm that no act of terror can ever weaken our resolve or extinguish our indomitable spirit. We also support the steps taken by the Union Government announced yesterday (Wednesday).”

Omar’s party National Conference, its alliance partner Congress, members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the BJP, People’s Conference chairman Sajad Lone, Awami Ittehad Party leader Sheikh Khursheed, Democratic Progressive Azad Party leader and former J&K CM Ghulam Nabi Azad, and CPI(M) leader M Y Tarigami were among those who attended the meeting.

“The meeting took place in a sombre atmosphere. It was a moment of solidarity in the face of the carnage that took place in Pahalgam,” Lone told The Indian Express, adding that everyone was “on the same page” and “there were absolutely no differences anywhere”.

“All the political parties are united against terrorism despite ideological differences,” said BJP MLA R S Pathania.

J&K Congress president Tariq Hameed Karra said as the matter was a national issue, “it needs to be addressed through collective wisdom”. He also expressed concern about the “backlash against Kashmiri students” in some parts of the country and said it “should not happen”.

With several parts of J&K observing a shutdown on Wednesday to protest against the attack, the resolution lauds the people of the Union Territory for the “extraordinary display of their moral and material support to all the tourists across the Kashmir Valley and for their resolute unity in condemning the recent attack”.

The parties appreciated the “spontaneous, peaceful demonstrations” across towns and villages in J&K, “which exemplify our unwavering commitment to peace, communal harmony, and the rule of law, and reaffirm our collective resolve to foster mutual respect, uphold constitutional values, and work collaboratively for the prosperity and stability of Jammu & Kashmir”.

“The people of J&K held a spontaneous shutdown and the message was loud and clear. The nation should take note of it. This horrible incident should not have horrible consequences for our people across the country,” said PDP leader Mehboob Beig, who attended the meeting.

The resolution also highlights the role of Syed Adil Hussain Shah who was killed while trying to “fight one of the terrorists”. Shah used to ferry tourists on a pony.