NEW DELHI: Expressing solidarity with Pakistan, Parliament today condemned the attack on a school in Peshawar in which 132 children and nine others were killed, with the government saying it is a “clarion call” for all those who believe in humanity to join hands to defeat terror.
Members in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha stood in silence as a mark of respect to the memory of those killed in the “gruesome” and “horrendous” terrorist attack in Peshawar yesterday.
Lok Sabha adopted a resolution, moved by Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, extending heartfelt condolences to the government, people of Pakistan besides the bereaved families.
“The House … expresses its shock, sense of deep outrage, profound sorrow and condemns the despicable, senseless, horrendous and cowardly terrorist attack.
“And resolve that all barbaric terrorist attacks, against innocent people, especially vulnerable children, should not be tolerated and harshest and exemplary punishment be meted out to the perpetrators of such heinous crimes,” the resolution said.
In Rajya Sabha, Ansari said, “This senseless and brutal cowardly act is deplorable. The loss of innocent lives in this incident is indeed tragic and unfortunate. This incident only reaffirms our resolve to fight terrorism with more determination and firmness.”
The House later joined Ansari in observing silence as a mark of respect to the memory of those who lost their lives.
In the Lok Sabha, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj made a statement on the attack in Peshawar as well as hostage crisis in Sydney, Australia, a day before.
“The events of the last two days were on two different continents; in different hemispheres; on our two opposite flanks. While seemingly disparate, both are manifestations of the darkening shadow of terrorism,” she said.
“Both these developments, taken together, are a clarion call for all those who believe in humanity to join hands to decisively and comprehensively defeat terrorism,” Swaraj said, adding on its part, India stands ready to play its role in this global endeavor.
Swaraj, who made the same statement in Rajya Sabha, said that even before the reverberations from the terrorist attack in Sydney to India’s east ended, “one of the most horrific killings in recent times was perpetrated on our west”, in Peshawar.
“The enormity of this crime; the cowardly nature of the massacre; the barbaric brutality of the killing of 132 innocent school children and nine others, yesterday, has evoked revulsion all around,” the External Affairs Minister said.
She said the Indian government “swiftly and strongly” condemned this.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reflected the entire nation’s feelings when he termed it a “senseless act of unspeakable brutality”, Swaraj said.
“In their darkest hour, we reached out and expressed our heartfelt condolences to the grief-stricken families, transcending boundaries and differences,” she said.
Swaraj said Modi, in a late night conversation with Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, informed him that people of India shared the “heart-rending pain and sorrow of the bereaved families and the people of Pakistan and stood with them in solidarity.” –PTI
