Pahalgam terror attack: Opposition parties may seek special session of Parliament

Tourists near the tower city centre in Srinagar on April 27, 2025. Security has been beefed up in Kashmir after the Pahalgam terror attack.
| Photo Credit: Imran Nissar

The Opposition parties are mulling on whether they should issue a joint appeal asking the government to convene a special session of Parliament in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 persons were killed on April 22.

Independent Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal reiterated his appeal to all political parties to urge the government to convene a special session.

“On 25th of April, I suggested that a special session of Parliament be convened to show the nation’s unity in this hour of grief,” Mr. Sibal said in a post on X. “I request all political parties to urge the government to convene such a session as early as possible in May,” he said. Addressing a press conference on Friday, Mr. Sibal had first proposed this. He had also suggested that the government send delegations of MPs from various parties to various countries so that diplomatic pressure can be created on Pakistan.

The Congress is reaching out to other allies in the INDIA bloc to frame a consensus. “It is under consideration,” a senior Congress leader said.

There are a variety of views on the issue. Senior RJD leader and Rajya Sabha MP Manoj K. Jha, said that the Pahalgam attack was not simply an act of terror but an “attack on the idea of India”. “The aim was not to kill, but to make sure that hatred reaches every nook and corner. I appreciate the people of India for seeing through this design and maintaining peace. In this context, it will be important to speak in one voice, which we can present during a special session of Parliament,” Mr. Jha said.

Equally, there are others who say that such a session would be utilised for rhetoric or divisive speeches.