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Reddy urged for unity, saying it’s not the time for politics, and his government stands ready to support the Prime Minister during this period.
Telangana CM Revanth Reddy (File Photo)
In protest against the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives, Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Friday led a candle march and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to give a befitting reply to Pakistan and merge Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) with India.
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) President Asaduddin Owaisi and other Congress leaders accompanied Reddy in a show of opposition unity. The Telangana CM offered condolences to the victims of the attack and said the Centre needs to act decisively to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.
Former Union Minister Salman Khurshid, other Telangana ministers and international delegates, who had arrived for a two-day ‘Bharat Summit’ in the state, also participated in the march.
The Chief Minister reminisced about former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s comparison of Indira Gandhi to Goddess Durga, citing her strong leadership during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War and India’s response to the 1967 India-China war.
“It was the brave Indira Gandhi who separated Bangladesh from Pakistan… You (PM Modi) remember ‘Durga Mata’. Take action, whether it’s attacking Pakistan or any other measure. Today, steps should be taken against Pakistan. This is not the time for compromise. A befitting reply should be given. Move ahead, and we will stand with you. The 140 crore Indians are with you,” he said.
Reddy said, “Make Pakistan into two parts. Merge PoK with India. We will stand with you. You are a devotee of Durga Mata. Remember Indira ji.”
He urged for unity, saying it’s not the time for politics, and his government stands ready to support the Prime Minister during this period.
Owaisi, in a post on X, said: “We are all united against terrorism. Along with @revanth_anumula & thousands of Indian citizens, I participated in a candlelight march against the cowardly Pahalgam terror attack.”
He handed out black armbands at a mosque ahead of Friday prayers, asking people to wear them in solidarity and protest against the Pahalgam terror attack.
This comes after 26 tourists, including one Nepali citizen, were killed in the terror attack in J-K’s Pahalgam on Tuesday. The attack was the deadliest strike since the 2019 Pulwama strike.
The Resistance Front, a shadow group of the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror group, claimed responsibility for the attack.
In response to the attack, India scaled back diplomatic relations with Pakistan, implementing several measures, including suspending the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty and cancelling visa services for Pakistani citizens.
In retaliation, Pakistan also announced a series of measures, including closing its airspace for Indian airlines. Islamabad also said that any move to divert water meant for it under the pact would be considered an “Act of War.”