The Socialist heartland of India is mourning the martyrdom of over 40 Central Reserve Police Force personnel, who fell prey to the cowardly and dastardly terrorist attack in Pulwama, Kashmir, on February 13. The entire nation is grieving over the news of the tragedy. It is not only deeply saddening but also nerve-wracking for the families of the slain soldiers. 12 martyrs alone belonged to the largest state of Uttar Pradesh.
Former UP Chief Minister, and national president of the Samajwadi Party, Akhilesh Yadav was quick to condemn the despicable terror attack. I came to know that he had promptly rushed to Ajaan village in the Tirwa tehsil of district Kannauj to pay his condolences to the family of the deceased soldier Pradeep Singh. A true socialist patriot, as I see him, with schooling in Dholpur’s military school (of which he had been immensely proud of), Akhilesh was overwhelmed with sorrow during his interaction with the the teary-eyed daughter, grief-stricken wife, and other family members of the martyred jawan.
My thoughts and condolences go out to the families of the martyrs lost in the dastardly terror attack. We socialists are united together in this time of national grief and strongly condemn this shameful attack. There is a growing national outrage over the ghastly incident. We urge the government to move ahead with wisdom and foresight in avenging the brutal killing of our bravehearts and hope the BJP government will take tough action against those responsible for sheltering the India terrorist outfit, Jaish-e-Mohhamed.
However, the ruling dispensation in New Delhi can’t escape the public scrutiny over the Himalayan intelligence failure. Regular loss of precious lives in Kashmir could have been avoided with alertness of the intelligence and administrative machinery. The Narendra Modi government has failed in its Kashmir policy.
In light of the magnitude of the tragedy, Yadav has issued an appeal to the members of the Samajwadi Party across the nation, urging them to visit the families of the deceased soldiers and offer unconditional social, economic and emotional support in these hours of distress.
Frank Huzur is the author of “Tipu’s Story”, a biography of Akhilesh Yadav.