The terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir on April 22nd, 2025 which killed 27 tourists has left the nation reeling. MP Sagarika Ghose has publicly demanded answers from Home Minister Amit Shah, pointing to the massive defence budget yet glaring security failures. With streets in Srinagar deserted and businesses shut, the attack has sparked outrage and calls for accountability.

Details & Context
The horrific attack in Pahalgam’s Baisaran meadow, a popular tourist spot, claimed 27 lives including three from West Bengal and injured many others. The attackers, linked to Pakistan-based group The Resistance Front (TRF), opened fire on innocent tourists, targeting them based on religious identity. The tragedy has sent shockwaves across India, with Srinagar’s streets now empty, shops closed and fear gripping the valley. Home Minister Amit Shah visited Kashmir on April 22nd and went to Baisaran on April 23rd, 2025 to assess the situation but his presence has only fuelled more questions.

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MP Sagarika Ghose took to social media to voice her anger, directly questioning the government’s failure to ensure safety despite a massive defence budget. She called the attack a clear sign of the central government’s inability to curb terrorism, especially in tourist hotspots like Pahalgam. Abhishek Banerjee, another prominent leader, echoed her sentiments on X, slamming the government’s past promises. He pointed out that demonetisation and the scrapping of Article 370 were supposed to stop terrorism, yet the attack proves those claims hollow.

The outrage isn’t limited to politicians. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee expressed her grief over the loss of three Bengali tourists. She assured support for the victims’ families, arranging for the bodies to be brought to Kolkata by 8:30 PM on April 23rd via Delhi, with state assistance at the airport. The attack has reignited debates about India’s security measures, especially in a region like Kashmir which has seen a tourism boom in recent years but remains vulnerable to such strikes.

Quotes

·      Sagarika Ghose, MP (via X): “Honourable Home Minister, we demand answers.! Crores in defence budget, yet you fail to ensure safety. Promises to crush terrorism are empty. No security in tourist hotspots—where is the Defence Ministry, where is intelligence.? Pahalgam proves the central government’s failure.”

·      Abhishek Banerjee on X: “This attack in Jammu and Kashmir isn’t just tragic—it’s a message to the government. They claimed demonetisation would stop black money and terrorism and Article 370’s removal would bring peace. Today’s attack shows how hollow those promises are.”

·      Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal CM (via X): “We’ve arranged all support at Delhi airport. The bodies will reach Kolkata by 8:30 PM. In this tough time, the state government and I stand with the grieving families.”

Additional Information
The Pahalgam attack has exposed deep flaws in India’s security framework. Despite intelligence warnings, the attack couldn’t be prevented, raising questions about the effectiveness of agencies like the Intelligence Bureau. The government’s claim that scrapping Article 370 in 2019 would bring lasting peace to Kashmir now faces scrutiny, as this is one of the deadliest attacks since then. Abhishek Banerjee’s mention of demonetisation—a 2016 policy meant to curb black money and terror funding—further highlights the gap between policy promises and reality.

Srinagar, usually bustling with tourists, is now a ghost town. The attack’s impact is felt beyond Kashmir, with leaders like Mamata Banerjee stepping in to support affected families. The three Bengali victims—Bitan Adhikari, Sameer Guha and Manish Ranjan—were among those killed, as noted in our earlier conversation. Their families, along with others are now grappling with immense loss and the nation is demanding answers on how such a tragedy could occur in a heavily militarised region.

Read More: Flight Fares Kashmir | Kashmir Attack, Government Steps In to Control Flight Fares

Impact Analysis
The Pahalgam attack has far-reaching consequences,

·      Security Trust Shattered: The failure to prevent the attack despite a huge defence budget undermines public trust in the government’s ability to protect citizens, especially in tourist areas.

·      Tourism Hit Hard: Kashmir’s tourism, a key economic driver is suffering. With Srinagar deserted and tourists fleeing, the region faces a long recovery.

·      Political Pressure: Leaders like Sagarika Ghose and Abhishek Banerjee are putting the BJP-led government on the spot, questioning past policies like demonetisation and Article 370’s revocation.

·      Local Economy in Crisis: With businesses shut and tourists gone, Kashmir’s locals who depend on tourism are facing financial hardship.

·      National Outrage: The attack has united the country in grief but also in anger, with social media amplifying demands for accountability from leaders like Amit Shah.

The Pahalgam terror attack isn’t just a tragedy—it’s a wake-up call. Sagarika Ghose’s demand for answers reflects the nation’s frustration: how can a country with a massive defence budget fail to protect its people.? The government must address these security gaps, rebuild trust and ensure safety in Kashmir. Empty promises won’t bring back the 27 lives lost but real action can prevent future tragedies. Let’s honour the victims by demanding better protection for all.

Call to Action (CTA)
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