• Opening remarks of Congress President
• Resolution

 Opening remarks of Congress President

Prime Minister,

My colleagues of the CWC.

We meet at a time of great sorrow and anger: sorrow at the tragic and wanton loss of life and anger such senseless havoc and destruction. My heart goes out to those who have suffered, the hundreds of innocent people, both Indians and from abroad, who lost their lives, their loved ones or suffered grievous injuries. I salute our security forces who rose to the occasion to meet an unprecedented challenge. Many lived up to the highest traditions of service by giving their lives in the line of duty. We pay homage to them and send our deepest sympathies to their families.

We must recognize that what has happened in Mumbai over the last few days is no less than an assault on our nationhood and an attempt to destroy the fabric of our society and  our secular, democratic way of life.   We do not know as yet what motivated those responsible for the death and havoc that we have witnessed.    I am sure we will soon find out, and also come to know who organized and facilitated their mission. But one thing I do know: we can no longer sit back and let these attacks overwhelm us. Our response has to be effective and it has to be decisive.

Two days ago, Prime Minister addressed the nation on television. We strongly support    what he said.

As the party that leads this coalition, our first task is to restore faith among the people. They must feel that they have a government that is taking all possible measures to give succour to those who need it and, more important, to ensure that there is no recurrence of such traumatic acts of terror.

I know there are no easy answers and effective change takes time. But we must plan what we can do in the immediate future and what long-term measures and reforms are needed to strengthen and equip our police and security forces to be better prepared for the challenge they face.

We must immediately set in motion whatever steps are needed to secure the safety and security of our citizens. We need to look into the lacunae that allowed terrorists to cause such mayhem. We need to put in place whatever reforms and changes are felt necessary to bring about a qualitative change in the way we anticipate and deal with terrorist violence.  

We have confronted a rising tide of terrorism for some time, but the attack in Mumbai was qualitatively different. It calls for immediate and firm action.

This is a time when all political parties should come together and rise above partisan considerations. It is unfortunate that some of our political adversaries have not done so and instead sought to take  advantage from the terrible suffering in the city of Mumbai. We stand firm against any attempt to divide our people on the issue of terrorism. We will persevere in our effort to work with all those who recognize this as a national challenge that we have to meet collectively.

This is our agenda this evening. Our nation has gone through a painful and agonizing period.  The time for intent is over. The nation is looking to us for decisive action and determined leadership.  We cannot afford to fail them.

Resolution

The Indian National Congress expresses its deep shock and grief over the tragic loss of innocent lives in the dastardly terrorist attacks in Mumbai. The heinous attack is an assault on India's polity and is a challenge of the gravest magnitude to the Indian State and its people. The brutality of the terrorist attack and the senseless killings and injuring of a large number of defenceless people, including women and children and many foreign nationals, have shocked the entire civilized world. The reprehensible carnage deserves the strongest condemnation. The Congress Working Committee conveys its deepest condolences to the bereaved and affected families and prays for strength and fortitude in their moment of grief.

The Congress Working Committee shares the strong sense of outrage and grief of the Indian people over the attacks by the forces of violence and terror. This terror attack has once again underscored the enormity of the threat confronting our country.

The Indian National Congress salutes the brave officers and jawans of the security forces who displayed unmatched courage and dedication, especially the Armed Forces personnel, the National Security Guards and the Maharashtra Police, including the ATS Chief and other officers and men who laid down their lives to defend the country. A grateful nation will always remember with respect their supreme sacrifice.

The Congress led the struggle that brought freedom to the country and has steadfastly guarded its sovereignty and independence. The Congress reiterates its resolve to give a befitting and hard hitting reply to those who dare to challenge the sovereignty of the nation. The Congress will never bow before or negotiate with terrorists. The Congress calls upon Pakistan to honour its commitment and prevent the use of its territory for commission of acts of terrorism against India. The Congress urges the Government to take immediate and concrete action to revamp our security set up to make it more responsive and to ensure that such incidents of terror ate pre-empted and prevented.

In this hour of crisis, India must respond unitedly and in a resolute manner to meet this challenge. It is a national challenge, calling for a firm and collective response. CWC cautions the people against the divisive and diabolic designs of some forces to politicize this tragedy in pursuit of partisan political agenda. The attempt to communalize terrorism is unfortunate and despicable. The CWC is confident that the people of India will reject all those who insist on injecting divisiveness in this hour. Terrorism has no religion and must be condemned in all its manifestations. The only response to terrorism is zero tolerance. The final answer to terrorism is that it must be crushed with all the power at the command of the Government. We appeal to the people of India to remain united and resolute and maintain peace in these testing times.

The Indian National Congress warns the forces of terror and all those who provide support and sustenance to the nation's enemies, that India's one billion and more people have the strength and resilience to overcome this challenge. India has the determination to defend its unity and sovereignty and to safeguard its composite culture and secular democracy. The CWC resolves to continue the struggle and to mobilize the people of India in isolating, confronting and defeating the forces of violence and terror.