Pahalgam Terror Attack: Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs Skip All-Party Meeting, Extend Support To Government’s Response

Mumbai: The MPs of Shiv Sena (UBT) were absent from Thursday's all-party meeting convened to discuss the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 people. However, the party has extended its support to any decisive action the Indian government chooses to take in response to the attack.

Party MP Arvind Sawant wrote a letter to Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, informing him of his inability to attend the meeting due to unavoidable circumstances. He emphasised that this is a time to demonstrate national unity. UBT MP Sanjay Raut also stated that the party supports whatever decision the government makes on matters of national security.

The party has blamed an intelligence failure for the terror attack. In an editorial published in its mouthpiece Saamana, the party argued that the abrogation of Article 370 has not brought peace to the region, and that targeting Pakistan will not resolve Kashmir’s issues.

The party criticised the BJP, stating that violence in Kashmir has continued even after the revocation of Article 370 in 2019. Despite celebrating the move, the BJP has failed to ensure the safety of Hindus in the Valley, the editorial claimed.

According to the article, since August 2019, 197 security forces, 135 civilians and 700 terrorists have died in the region. The editorial questioned where National Security Advisor Ajit Doval was during this crisis and compared the attack to the 2019 Pulwama bombing, calling both intelligence failures.

The editorial questions Home Minister Amit Shah’s priorities, accusing him of using the Home Ministry for political agendas and destabilising opposition governments. It argues that when leadership is constantly busy with conspiracies, national security and the safety of Hindus are neglected.

The editorial argues that if West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee is held accountable for violence in her state, then Union Home Minister Amit Shah should also take responsibility for the killings of Hindus in Kashmir and resign.

It warns that continued damage to the country’s religious harmony will only lead to such tragic outcomes. It accused the BJP of demanding resignations over violence in opposition-ruled states but not taking responsibility for attacks under its own rule.

The UBT said promises to Kashmiri Pandits remain unfulfilled and Hindus are still fleeing the region. It questioned the effectiveness of the Centre’s governance through the Lieutenant Governor in Jammu and Kashmir. The piece ended by accusing the BJP of spreading religious hate for the last ten years and said blaming Pakistan after every attack does nothing but please its supporters.