Bharat Summit focuses on social justice, global peace amid Pahalgam attack
Hyderabad: The first day of the
Bharat Summit 2025
in Hyderabad brought together 450 foreign delegates from nearly 100 countries, along with Congress leaders and elected representatives, for discussions on gender justice, youth politics, climate change, and Telangana's progress. However, the spotlight was stolen by the Pahalgam terror attack, which dominated conversations at the summit's sidelines.
Congress leader
Rahul Gandhi
, who was expected to attend the inaugural session, rushed to Pahalgam to meet the victims' families. BC welfare minister Ponnam Prabhakar hinted that Gandhi may attend the summit's closing session, where the 'Hyderabad Declaration' will be announced.
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In light of the attack, the Union home ministry issued high alerts across states. Security was tightened at the HICC venue, and the Congress govt kept the event low-key on Day 1. AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge and chief minister A Revanth Reddy also skipped the event.
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Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka, joined by senior leader Salman Khurshid and ministers, addressed the media, stating the summit's goal was to showcase Telangana's leadership in
social justice
and progressive governance. "This is about reasserting Congress values—non-violence, truth, and social justice—as guiding principles for global peace," Bhatti said.
He highlighted Telangana's investor-friendly policies and urged delegates to invest in the state. "The Bharat Summit is being held based on the basic principles of the Congress party, and in this summit, peace lovers, those who seek global justice, and those with progressive ideas participated in discussions," Bhatti said.
"We explained to the world representatives how the Congress party's core principles are being taken forward by combining social justice and development," he added.
A candlelight rally from People's Plaza to the Indira Gandhi statue was also announced in solidarity with Pahalgam victims, with delegates expected to join voluntarily.
However, the summit was marred by controversy over a map displayed during the event that allegedly excluded Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK) and Ladakh. BJP leaders condemned it, accusing Congress of sending "a dangerous message to the world" and betraying national sovereignty. A BJP post on X called it "anti-national behaviour," accusing Congress of "crossing every red line" by funding such an act with public money.
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