Pahalgam Attack Reflects Modi Government’s Failure: Akhilesh Yadav

On Sunday, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav held a press conference where he attributed the recent terror attack in Pahalgam to an “intelligence failure” by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government. He criticized the administration for prioritizing “propaganda” over addressing critical issues, particularly in the realm of security and employment.

Yadav demanded that the government provide Rs 10 crore in financial assistance and a government job for the families of each victim of the attack, which tragically claimed the lives of 26 individuals, mostly tourists. He posed a critical question: “The big question is how did the terrorists reach our home? This is a failure of the government. It was the result of intelligence failure.”

He emphasized that the lack of proper security arrangements allowed the terrorists to execute their plans without hindrance, stating, “There were no proper security arrangements and forces could not reach there.”

The former chief minister also raised concerns about unemployment, asserting that the BJP government has failed to create adequate job opportunities. “The Bharatiya Janata Party government is continuously working on propaganda. We also have to remember that our issues are still unemployment,” he remarked.

Yadav highlighted the struggles of educated individuals who are unable to find suitable work, saying, “The way jobs are decreasing, people are unable to find work according to their qualifications. The government is unable to provide respectable employment.” He lamented that many graduates are forced into low-paying jobs, such as delivery services, instead of securing positions that match their qualifications.

Yadav further accused the BJP government of undermining constitutional rights and tampering with reservation policies. “Not giving jobs means not giving reservations,” he stated, expressing concern over the political interference in education and its impact on marginalized communities. He claimed, “While the people in the government, from time to time, do not give all the rights ensured in the Constitution, reservations are also being tampered with.”

Regarding an all-party meeting held to discuss the Pahalgam attack, Yadav mentioned, “The party has conveyed its views at the meeting. I can’t add to that. You can ask the chief minister (Yogi Adityanath) who is talking big on the matter.” He suggested that the government needs to take accountability for its actions and address the concerns raised by various political parties.

Yadav also alleged that corruption has risen under the BJP’s rule in Uttar Pradesh, claiming that the government has exploited the weaknesses of officers to carry out “wrong deeds.” He stated, “Officers from other states (posted here) are doing corruption and investing money in other states. Corrupt officers are hiding at the chief minister’s residence.” This assertion points to a broader issue of governance and accountability within the state.

In his remarks, Yadav claimed that his party workers are facing “discrimination and atrocities” due to political interference in constitutional institutions. He announced that the Samajwadi Party has prepared a “PDA sankalp” (pledge) aimed at raising awareness among backward classes, Dalits, and minorities about their rights and the importance of preserving the Constitution. “It is about issues related to PDA and is an attempt to make them aware to save the Constitution,” he explained.

In a lighter moment, Yadav addressed the incident where he was reportedly not allowed to land at Kushinagar airport due to low visibility. He quipped, “When there was clarity for five km, we were told there is low visibility,” and humorously speculated, “Maybe if I had used soap and shampoo, I would have been allowed to land.”

The Pahalgam attack has not only heightened tensions between India and Pakistan but has also sparked critical discussions about security, employment, and the rights of marginalized communities in the country. As the situation unfolds, the demands for accountability and action from the government continue to grow.