‘Hollow claims of normalcy’: Opposition slams Centre over Pahalgam terror attack, seeks accountability

Leading the charge was Congress MP Rahul Gandhi – the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha – who called the attack “extremely condemnable and heartbreaking,” while urging the government to move beyond what he termed “hollow claims” of peace in Jammu and Kashmir. “The whole country is united against terrorism,” Gandhi said. “Instead of making hollow claims of the situation being normal in Jammu and Kashmir, the government should now take accountability and take concrete steps so that such barbaric incidents do not happen in the future and innocent Indians do not lose their lives like this.”

जम्मू-कश्मीर के पहलगाम में हुए कायराना आतंकी हमले में पर्यटकों के मारे जाने और कई लोगों के घायल होने की ख़बर बेहद निंदनीय और दिल दहलाने वाली है।

मैं शोकाकुल परिवारों के प्रति गहरी संवेदनाएं व्यक्त करता हूं और घायलों के जल्द स्वस्थ होने की आशा करता हूं।

आतंक के खिलाफ पूरा देश…

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) April 22, 2025

Echoing this sentiment, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge batted for the need for corrective measures, calling the attack “a blot on humanity.”

“The entire nation is united in fighting the scourge of cross-border terrorism,” Kharge said. “India’s National Security is paramount and we urge the Government of India to take corrective measures to ensure the same.”

I strongly condemn the cowardly terror attack on innocent tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir. The entire nation is united in fighting the scourge of cross-border terrorism.

These dastardly targeted attacks are a blot on humanity. News reports indicate that precious lives…

— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) April 22, 2025

Congress’ Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra dubbed the attack “a crime against humanity,” and condemned the targeting of unarmed civilians. “This is completely unacceptable. The whole country stands united against terrorism and strongly condemns it,” she said, while offering prayers for the victims and the injured.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah revealed that Kannadiga tourists were among those affected. He convened a high-level meeting soon after the news broke and dispatched a team of officials to Kashmir. “I have also instructed the Resident Commissioner of Delhi to take charge of the further action,” he said. “We are closely monitoring the entire incident and are standing by our side to help the victims of the attack.”

ಕಾಶ್ಮೀರದಲ್ಲಿ ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರು ಉಗ್ರರ ದಾಳಿಗೆ ಗುರಿಯಾಗಿರುವ ಸುದ್ದಿ ತಿಳಿದ ತಕ್ಷಣ ಮುಖ್ಯ ಕಾರ್ಯದರ್ಶಿಗಳು ಹಾಗೂ ಹಿರಿಯ ಪೊಲೀಸ್ ಅಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳ ಸಭೆ ನಡೆಸಿ ಮಾಹಿತಿ ಪಡೆದುಕೊಂಡು, ತಕ್ಷಣ ಕಾರ್ಯಪ್ರವೃತ್ತರಾಗುವಂತೆ ಸೂಚನೆ ನೀಡಿದ್ದೇನೆ.

ಪೊಲೀಸ್ ಅಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳನ್ನು ಒಳಗೊಂಡ ಅಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳ ಒಂದು ತಂಡ ಕಾಶ್ಮೀರಕ್ಕೆ ಪ್ರಯಾಣ ಬೆಳೆಸಿದೆ.

ಮುಂದಿನ… pic.twitter.com/mdFglPny0x

— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) April 22, 2025

Meanwhile, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, speaking from Lakshadweep where he is currently attending a Parliamentary Standing Committee meeting, called the attack as not just a blow to India, but a betrayal of Kashmir’s hopes for peace and prosperity. “This heinous crime is an assault, not just on India, but on the rights of the people of Kashmir to live in peace and thrive as a premier tourist destination in our country,” he said.

Voices beyond the Congress

Beyond the Congress party, other opposition leaders also roundly condemned the terror act.  Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin  confirmed that tourists from Tamil Nadu had lost their lives in the attack, however, he did not reveal how many from his state had found themselves in the crosshairs of the attackers. Calling the incident, “a barbaric act that shocks the conscience,” he said that he had “directed the Resident Commissioner in Delhi to coordinate with J&K authorities and ensure all necessary assistance to the families of those affected.”

The terrorist attack in #Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, that targeted innocent tourists and claimed multiple precious lives is a barbaric act that shocks the conscience. It deserves the strongest condemnation. My thoughts are with the bereaved families.

I am deeply saddened to…

— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) April 22, 2025

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed anguish over the attack and declared that such acts must not go unpunished. “My heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives, and prayers for the swift recovery of the injured,” she said. “This act of violence is utterly reprehensible and must not go unpunished.”

I am deeply anguished by the brutal terrorist attack in the Pahalgam region of Anantnag, Jammu & Kashmir.

My heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives, and prayers for the swift recovery of the injured.

This act of violence is utterly reprehensible and…

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) April 22, 2025

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan joined in the condemnation, urging justice and national unity. “Those behind this heinous act must be brought to justice. Let us stand united against such acts of violence and reaffirm our commitment to peace and harmony,” he said in a statement.

Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav called on the central government to step up its responsibilities. “The central government needs to ensure an environment of security in Jammu and Kashmir at the highest level of priority, only then can the lives of local residents and tourists remain safe. Security only creates trust and a sense of unity and integrity,” he said.

Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal described the attack as “shameful and condemnable,” and stressed national solidarity in the face of such violence. “Targeting unarmed innocents is an attack on humanity. The whole country is united in this sad moment,” he said.

Condemning the attack, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) MP Asaduddin Owaisi, said perpetrators of the attack “deserve strictest punishment in law.”

This is the first militant attack on tourists in Kashmir this year. The last such incident took place in May of the previous year, also in Pahalgam, though with fewer casualties.