AAP holds candlelight march Jantar Mantar to pay tribute to martyrs of Pahalgam terror attack

In a solemn gesture of solidarity, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday led a candle march at Jantar Mantar to honour the martyrs of the heinous terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir—an attack that targeted innocent tourists and gravely disrupted the region’s fragile peace.

Senior AAP leaders—including Delhi State President Saurabh Bharadwaj, MLA Sanjeev Jha, Adil Ahmed Khan, and former Delhi Mayor Dr. Shelly Oberoi—led the march, holding banners that read, “The whole country is together against terrorism.” The leaders paid tribute to the victims and extended heartfelt condolences to their grieving families. Speaking at the gathering, Saurabh Bharadwaj strongly condemned the cowardly attack and urged the central government to move beyond political rhetoric and take decisive, immediate steps to prevent such tragedies in the future.

During a media interaction, AAP’s Delhi State President Saurabh Bharadwaj said, “In the history of Kashmir, we have never heard of a terrorist attack on tourists. Every time we sought information, we were told that the livelihoods of local Kashmiris depended entirely on tourism. It is the only industry that sustains employment in the region. That’s why, historically, tourists were never targeted by terrorists. For the first time, a terror attack has been carried out on tourists, and so many innocent people from various Indian states have been brutally killed. All of them were innocent civilians.”

The AAP Delhi State President, “We extend our condolences and express our solidarity with their families. Today, the entire nation stands with them—every Indian, irrespective of caste or religion, stands united.”

Saurabh Bharadwaj demanded strong and swift action from the Central Government. “Jammu & Kashmir is a Union Territory, and therefore, law and order is the responsibility of the Centre. India’s internal security is also managed by the Central Government. From 2014 to 2025, not a single year has passed without a major terrorist incident. This is a failure of the Central Government and of our intelligence apparatus. It is time the Centre takes this issue seriously and initiates concrete measures,” he said.

He further criticised the Centre’s past decisions, saying, “The BJP-led Central Government has repeatedly claimed that its actions would end terrorism. It abrogated Article 370 and claimed extremism would end. Demonetisation was implemented with the same promise. Jammu & Kashmir was bifurcated and made a Union Territory; elected powers were stripped away under the pretext of reducing militancy. Yet, terrorism hasn’t decreased.”

“The government said Kashmiri Pandits would return, that people would buy land and set up industries. Sweets were distributed across the country, but no one went back. Even Kashmiri Pandits living in Delhi have not returned—because the situation on the ground remains far from normal. The Centre must now stop with political statements and take serious steps,” the AAP Delhi President.

Senior AAP leader and MLA Sanjeev Jha condemned the cowardly attack, stating, “The Pahalgam terror attack has shaken the nation. This incident is heart-wrenching. I believe the time has come to deliver a fitting response. We are not only paying tribute to the martyrs but also urging the Central Government to act decisively. The entire country and every political party stands with the government in this fight. The response must be such that it strikes terror in the hearts of those who even think of such cowardly acts.”

Sanjeev Jha questioned the Centre’s repeated failures: “The Prime Minister had claimed demonetisation would stop terrorism, then said Article 370’s abrogation would end it. Yet, terror attacks are only increasing. Where are the terrorists getting this audacity from? Where is the security failure happening? I hope the Centre takes strict action so that no one dares to repeat such atrocities.”

AAP leader Adil Khan also expressed anguish over the incident, stating, “This is a major tragedy. The whole country is angry and unwilling to tolerate such incidents anymore. To pay tribute to those martyred and express condolences to their families, the Aam Aadmi Party held a candlelight march at Jantar Mantar on Wednesday evening. We are all deeply saddened. We demand the harshest possible punishment for those responsible.”

Adil Khan strongly criticised the BJP’s record on Kashmir post-2014: “Since the BJP came to power in 2014, such incidents have occurred every year in Kashmir. The Centre introduced demonetisation claiming it would cripple terrorism. Then they scrapped Article 370, claiming terrorism would be eradicated. Jammu & Kashmir was made a Union Territory and divided further. Despite all of this, such attacks continue, and the Centre appears clueless. This is a complete lapse in security.”

He added, “We demand a full-time Home Minister for the country—someone who is dedicated 24/7 to ensuring the nation’s security. The current Home Minister is often busy with political rallies. India now needs a Home Minister who is fully focused on internal security and can prevent such incidents in the future. We demand immediate and strict action against those responsible.”