Abhishek raises 5 questions on Pahalgam attack, slams Centre's ‘silence'

Time of India

4 hours ago

Kolkata:
Trinamool Congress
national general secretary
Abhishek Banerjee
launched a scathing attack on the Centre on Monday over its alleged silence on the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that left 26, including three tourists from Bengal, dead.
In a post on X, Banerjee brought up five pointed questions over the Centre's handling of national security, intelligence accountability, foreign policy and global diplomacy.
"It is over 55 days since the Pahalgam terror attack. It is deeply concerning that in a democracy neither the mainstream media, members of the opposition, nor the judiciary stepped forward to raise these five critical questions before the Government of India.
However, as a citizen committed to the nation's well-being and as a public representative entrusted with accountability, I raise these five questions before the Government of India," Banerjee wrote.
On border security, Banerjee wrote: "How did four terrorists manage to infiltrate and launch an attack that killed 26 innocent civilians? Where is the accountability for this massive breach in national security?"
He took aim at Intelligence Bureau over the decision to extend the IB chief's tenure just weeks after the attack. "If this was an intelligence failure, why was the IB chief given a one-year extension? Why was he rewarded rather than held accountable? If the GoI can conveniently use Pegasus spyware against opposition leaders (including me), journalists, and even judges, what stops it from using the same tools against terrorist networks and suspects?"
Raising concerns over govt's silence on the terrorists involved, Banerjee asked, "Are they dead or alive? If neutralised, why hasn't the govt confirmed it? If not, why the silence?"
He also challenged the Centre's stand on reclaiming PoK and demanded a response to the US President Donald Trump's statement claiming he persuaded India into a ceasefire with trade incentives.
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The Trinamool MP questioned why, despite diplomatic outreach to 33 countries, none had explicitly condemned Pakistan. "If we are truly a Vishwaguru and the world's fourth-largest economy, how did Pakistan receive $1 billion from the IMF and $40 billion in investments post-attack, and then get appointed Vice-Chair of the UN Security Council's Counter-Terrorism Committee?" he asked.
"Over Rs 2 lakh crores has been spent on external affairs over the past 10 years.
The Indian public deserves transparency, accountability, and results — not silence and spin. The nation awaits a response!" Banerjee said.
TMC's reiterated the questions on X, accusing BJP of managing PM Narendra Modi's image rather than addressing critical national security lapses. "India isn't a film set. It's a nation under attack," the party wrote, calling on the PM to break his silence.
Rajya Sabha MP Derek O'Brien said the questions were posed "more than as a three-time MP but as a citizen". "Someone needed to call this govt out. Someone needed to hold this govt accountable. Someone needed to ask five direct questions. Abhishek Banerjee did," he added.
Echoing the concerns, TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said: "The Centre has failed to address basic questions of accountability and action. Abhishek Banerjee raised what many are thinking but not saying."