Abhishek raises 5 questions on Pahalgam attack, slams Centre's ‘silence'
Kolkata:
Trinamool Congress
national general secretary
Abhishek Banerjee
launched a scathing attack on the Centre on Monday over its alleged silence on the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that left 26, including three tourists from Bengal, dead.
In a post on X, Banerjee brought up five pointed questions over the Centre's handling of national security, intelligence accountability, foreign policy and global diplomacy.
"It is over 55 days since the Pahalgam terror attack. It is deeply concerning that in a democracy neither the mainstream media, members of the opposition, nor the judiciary stepped forward to raise these five critical questions before the Government of India.
However, as a citizen committed to the nation's well-being and as a public representative entrusted with accountability, I raise these five questions before the Government of India," Banerjee wrote.
On border security, Banerjee wrote: "How did four terrorists manage to infiltrate and launch an attack that killed 26 innocent civilians? Where is the accountability for this massive breach in national security?"
He took aim at Intelligence Bureau over the decision to extend the IB chief's tenure just weeks after the attack. "If this was an intelligence failure, why was the IB chief given a one-year extension? Why was he rewarded rather than held accountable? If the GoI can conveniently use Pegasus spyware against opposition leaders (including me), journalists, and even judges, what stops it from using the same tools against terrorist networks and suspects?"
Raising concerns over govt's silence on the terrorists involved, Banerjee asked, "Are they dead or alive? If neutralised, why hasn't the govt confirmed it? If not, why the silence?"
He also challenged the Centre's stand on reclaiming PoK and demanded a response to the US President Donald Trump's statement claiming he persuaded India into a ceasefire with trade incentives.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Run Your Business Like a Pro - Top Trending Accounting Software (Check Now)
Accounting ERP
Click Here
Undo
The Trinamool MP questioned why, despite diplomatic outreach to 33 countries, none had explicitly condemned Pakistan. "If we are truly a Vishwaguru and the world's fourth-largest economy, how did Pakistan receive $1 billion from the IMF and $40 billion in investments post-attack, and then get appointed Vice-Chair of the UN Security Council's Counter-Terrorism Committee?" he asked.
"Over Rs 2 lakh crores has been spent on external affairs over the past 10 years.
The Indian public deserves transparency, accountability, and results — not silence and spin. The nation awaits a response!" Banerjee said.
TMC's reiterated the questions on X, accusing BJP of managing PM Narendra Modi's image rather than addressing critical national security lapses. "India isn't a film set. It's a nation under attack," the party wrote, calling on the PM to break his silence.
Rajya Sabha MP Derek O'Brien said the questions were posed "more than as a three-time MP but as a citizen". "Someone needed to call this govt out. Someone needed to hold this govt accountable. Someone needed to ask five direct questions. Abhishek Banerjee did," he added.
Echoing the concerns, TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said: "The Centre has failed to address basic questions of accountability and action. Abhishek Banerjee raised what many are thinking but not saying."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
29 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Center to develop nine roads leading to Nashik ahead of Kumbh mela
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday said that all roads connecting Nashik will be developed and upgraded in view of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela in Nashik. A total of nine roads will be developed by the central government ahead of the religious meet in 2027 and as per the preliminary estimate, the work is likely to cost a further Rs 4000 crore. A high-level meeting regarding the highway connecting Nashik was held on Sunday in the presence of Union Road Development Minister Nitin Gadkari at Nagpur. Gadkari extended in-principle approval to the construction of necessary roads and facilities required for the upcoming Kumbh Mela to be held in Nashik as a huge crowd of devotees is expected to arrive, leading to a strain on the traffic system. It was decided that a Detailed Project Report (DPR) will be prepared soon and funds will be made available for this. The routes to be developed include, Ghoti – Pahine – Trimbakeshwar – Jawhar Phata; Dwarka Circle – Sinnar IC 21 (Samruddhi Expressway) Nandur Shingote – Kolhar; Nashik to Kasara; Savli Vihir (IC 20 Samruddhi Expressway) Shirdi – Shani Shingnapur Phata (Rahuri Khurd); Nashik to Dhule; Trimbakeshwar – Jawhar – Manor; Shadow Well – Manmad – Malegaon; Ghoti – Sinnar – Vavi – Shirdi; Shani Shingnapur Phata (Rahuri Khurd) – Ahilyanagar (Kharwandi Phata).The meeting approved the Nashik Ring Road. Along with this, it was decided to make the Nashik to Trimbak road six-lane. 'The cost will be calculated post preparation of the DPR. But the central government has assured all possible financial help as well,' said an official from the Maharashtra Public Works Department (PWD). He added, the estimated Rs 4000 crore is for the construction of roads and additional money will be required for the Nashik ring road project. 'Keeping in view the increasing interest of devotees towards Kumbh Mela and the expected crowd, I had requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to provide assistance at the central government level for its successful planning and enabling infrastructure road development. As a result this meeting was held today,' said Fadnavis. There are eight important routes to Nashik from Mumbai, Gujarat, Palghar, Pune, Ahilyanagar, Sambhajinagar, Dhule. All these routes and the internal roads in Nashik city and the district also connect to the national highway. The meeting considered the development of all those roads. CM Fadnavis said that the expanded road network will provide more safe facilities to the devotees as it will handle the huge traffic expected during the Kumbh Mela.
Mint
30 minutes ago
- Mint
Operation Sindhu: India's special flight brings back 280 more Indians from Iran; govt commits to help Nepal, Sri Lanka
With the tensions escalating in the Middle East following the conflict between Israel and Iran, a special flight under Operation Sindhu brought back over 280 Indian nationals on Sunday. According to the details, the Mahan Air flight (W50071A), carrying mostly students and pilgrims, landed at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport. Over 200 students from Jammu and Kashmir were among the passengers, while others were pilgrims who had travelled to Iran for Ziarat. After the passengers stepped off the aircraft, many of them held Indian flags and expressed relief and gratitude for the safe return. Earlier on Wednesday, India launched Operation Sindhu to evacuate its citizens from Iran amid the rising tensions between Tehran and Israel. Also on Friday, two Mahan Air flights carrying 1,000 Indian students, including 500 Kashmiris, from Iran's Mashhad landed in Delhi. A third flight also landed on Saturday. In a diplomatic outreach to its neighbours, the Indian Embassy in Iran on Saturday stated that it will help evacuating the Nepalese and Sri Lankan nationals from Iran. After both nations requested India's help in evacuating their citizens, the Indian Embassy agreed to assist Nepal and Sri Lanka. The embassy also released emergency helpline numbers for Nepalese and Sri Lankan nationals stuck in Iran. 'On request of the Governments of Nepal and Sri Lanka, the Indian Embassy's evacuation efforts in Iran will also cover Citizens of Nepal and Sri Lanka,' Indian Embassy in Iran posted on X. It added, 'The citizens of Nepal and Sri Lanka may urgently reach out to the Embassy, either on the Telegram channel or over the emergency contact numbers. +989010144557; +989128109115; +989128109109' These strikes were targeted at uranium enrichment plants at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan. Confirming the attacks chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, US Gen Dan Caine, briefed the press stating Operation Midnight Hammer involved 125 US military aircraft including seven B-2 stealth bombers. Following the US strikes, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi calls the US attack on their uclear sites 'unforgivable' and said Iran has 'to respond based on our legitimate right to self-defence'.
Time of India
30 minutes ago
- Time of India
Israel-Iran conflict: PIB debunks claims of US using Indian airspace for Iran strikes; calls them ‘fake'
NEW DELHI: The Press Information Bureau (PIB) on Sunday dismissed social media rumours suggesting that the United States used Indian airspace to carry out airstrikes on Iran during 'Operation Midnight Hammer. ' The government agency categorically stated that these claims are false. 'Several social media accounts have claimed that Indian Airspace was used by the United States to launch aircraft against Iran during Operation Midnight Hammer. This claim is FAKE. Indian Airspace was NOT used by the United States during Operation Midnight Hammer,' PIB said in an official statement. The clarification comes in the wake of multiple online posts alleging that India facilitated the US strikes, which targeted key Iranian nuclear facilities amid escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran. India has maintained a cautious stance in the conflict and has not offered its airspace for any military operations related to the ongoing confrontation between the US, Iran, and Israel.
