In the wake of the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 people, Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take strong measures against Pakistan, including merging Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) with India. The tragic attack, which occurred on Tuesday in Jammu and Kashmir, marked the deadliest assault since the 2019 Pulwama strike. The victims included 25 Indian tourists and one Nepali citizen, making the incident all the more tragic.
Protest March Led by Telangana CM
In protest of the attack, Telangana CM Revanth Reddy led a candle march on Friday, joined by prominent political leaders including Asaduddin Owaisi, President of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), and other Congress leaders. The march aimed to show unity in condemning the attack and pressing for decisive action. Reddy, offering condolences to the victims’ families, called for a firm response from the Indian government to prevent such attacks from recurring in the future.
He also reflected on the legacy of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and her strong leadership during critical times, notably during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War and the 1967 India-China war. Drawing on this comparison, Reddy emphasized the need for bold action against Pakistan, urging the government to take steps such as military retaliation or other measures. “This is not the time for compromise,” Reddy asserted. He further urged the government to split Pakistan into two parts and integrate PoK with India, asserting that the entire nation stood with the Prime Minister during such a challenging time.
Political Unity Against Terrorism
The march, which was also attended by former Union Minister Salman Khurshid and various other Telangana ministers, underscored the unity among political leaders from different parties. Owaisi, expressing solidarity, posted on X (formerly Twitter), condemning the attack and stressing the importance of coming together against terrorism. He also distributed black armbands at a mosque to symbolize the protest against the attack, encouraging people to wear them during Friday prayers.
The attack, claimed by The Resistance Front, a faction of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba terror group, has escalated tensions between India and Pakistan. In response to the attack, India took a strong diplomatic stance, scaling back relations with Pakistan, suspending the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, and halting visa services for Pakistani citizens. Pakistan retaliated by announcing the closure of its airspace for Indian airlines and threatening further action if water diversion moves were made under the treaty.
