It’s been seven years and 20 major terror strikes since the attack on Parliament on December 13, 2001. The Sunday Express scanned two Parliament debates—one after the Parliament attack when the NDA was in power and the second, held this week —to find out what has changed and what has not.DISSOLVING THE DIVIDEBoth the NDA and the UPA came together to speak out against terror2001Congress will back the government in its effort to track down and bring to justice terrorists who threaten the nation’s integrity.Sonia Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in Lok SabhaOur party is one with the nation in its solemn resolve that we shall not make any compromises with these terrorist gangs. Manmohan Singh, Leader of Opposition, Rajya SabhaYou will not find us wanting (in fighting terror). Pranab Mukherjee, RS2008My party and the NDA would extend full cooperation and all the possible help required to take stringent measures to tackle this menace. L.K. Advani, LSPAKISTAN’s roleBoth times, Pak and its safe haven for terrorists came under fire .2001It is now evident that the terrorist assault on Parliament was executed jointly by Pak-based and -supported terrorist outfits, LeT and JeM. These two organisations are known to derive their support and patronage from Pak ISI. The investigation¿shows that all the five terrorists who formed the suicide squad were Pakistani nationals. Home Minister L K Advani2008I am able to say that the finger of suspicion unmistakably points to the territory of our neighbour, Pakistan.Home Minister P ChidamabaramTHE AMERICA FACTORWhile in Opposition, the Congress questioned US call for restraint, BJP does it now2001We read in the newspapers that the US Secretary of State has almost given a certificate that the Pakistan President has taken action against the terrorist-based organisations in Pakistan. Does the government of India share this perception.?If (Pakistan) becomes the front-ranking State in the overall strategic requirements of the US, I do not mind that, but what about us? Pranab Mukherjee, RSI was¿disturbed about the statement¿of the US Secretary of State calling “India for restraint” and going on to say that General Musharraf was taking all possible steps that were necessary. I would like to know from the External Affairs Minister what¿is the attitude of the US and other members of he international community towards this ghastly act perpetrated by terrorist gangs inspired, aided and abetted by Pakistan. Obviously, we have, on the diplomatic front, a lot more to do.Manmohan Singh, RS2008Please stop running to ‘mummy’. This business of putting faith that somebody else (the US) will do our work for us.Condoleeza Rice will come, Barack Obama will give statement.Arun Shourie, RSWHO IS TO BLAME? It’s the same cast of characters: security lapse, intelligence failure2001The attack on Parliament was anticipated. In fact, one day before this attack took place, on December 12, while speaking in Mumbai, the PM himself had referred to such a threat to our Parliament. The attack should make us reflect on the adequacy of our security and intelligence arrangements. Manmohan Singh2008This is clearly a failure of our intelligence agencies. We should not forget that the PM, the Home Minister and the NSA were all saying that the attack would be from the sea route. Even then, nothing was done to prevent it. L K AdvaniSECURITY CONCERNSIn 2001, it was limited to Parliament security, this time the attacks called for a comprehensive crisis management response 2001The present security arrangements in Parliament House should be strengthened. AB Vajpayee2008We are strengthening maritime security against asymmetric threats from the sea. Arrangements for securing our air space have been streamlined. We have worked out a mechanism for a comprehensive crisis management response and decided to strengthen the legal framework to deal with terror and also to set up a national investigation agency.Manmohan SinghGOING TO WARBJP talked openly about it, the Congress is guarded2001The issue we need to discuss is the circumstance in which the war should take place, whether we need to go to war or not. Nobody wants war in the country. No party can take such a decision all alone. That would be the decision of the country. A B Vajpayee2008That (war) is not the point. That is not the issue. I am making it quite clear that that is not the solution. Let us be very clear and frank that that is no solution. Pranab Mukherjee We have so far acted with utmost restraint. But let not our commitment to civilised norms be misconstrued as a sign of weakness. Manmohan SinghHindu-Muslim divideBoth the NDA and the UPA assuage concerns of communal strife2001This is not a war between Hindus and Muslims. I wish that this should not be a war between India and Pakistan. The Muslim brethren of India should rest assured that there is no place for such thinking in India. L K Advani2008We have emerged stronger with every challenge, and will do so again. I have no doubt that the Mumbai attacks will also fail in their nefarious designs. All political parties have an obligation to unite against communal hatred and discord. Manmohan Singh
