Salutation to the Spirit of Our People

A year has passed since terror and tragedy engulfed Mumbai. The siege by terrorists was a brutal and wanton assault on innocent men, women and children. It was an assault on a city and its spirit of vitality and enterprise, its rich pluralistic culture, where people of different faiths and communities live and work together in harmony. It was an assault on the very idea of India.

These twelve months have not dimmed our grief for those who died in the siege, our sympathy for those who lost their loved ones, or our sense of outrage. We salute the memory of all those who perished during those 50 terrible hours - the unsuspecting victims whom destiny had placed in the path of terrorist bullets, the brave officers and men of the Mumbai Police and the National Security Guard called upon to do their duty, and the hotel staff who died as they tried to shelter their guests. We continue to draw strength and inspiration from the heroism and humanity displayed by so many ordinary citizens who risked their lives to save others; the selfless, untiring dedication with which doctors, nurses, the men of the fire department and ambulance services worked to bring succour to the wounded and traumatized; and the manner in which the people of our country stood united at a time of peril.

We have learnt many hard lessons from the tragedy of 26/11. But we have also learnt that no terrorist attack will ever be able to hit at the spirit of Mumbai and its people. If that was the aim of the terrorist they miserably failed. We have witnessed in this past year the courage, resilience and determination with which Mumbaikars have resumed their lives. If the terrorists were seeking to divide our nation,create chaos and divert us from our chosen path, they miscalculated totally. India has emerged stronger. In paying homage to the memory of those who lost their lives and empathising with the pain and loss of their loved ones, on behalf of theCongress Party and on my own behalf I salute the indomitable spirit of the people of India.

On the question of clean chit given to former Prime Minister Shri Narasimha Rao by Liberhan Commission, Smt. Natarajan said that as far as the stand of the Congress party is concerned, we have nothing to add except what has already been explained by my colleague yesterday.

To a further question with regard to action taken against the persons indicted by the Liberhan Commission report, Smt. Natarajan said that it will be decided by the Parliament. While making the stand of the Congress party clear, she further added that it was explained by her colleague yesterday. She said that the demolition of the Babri Masjid is a saddening historic event.

On the question whether any enquiry proceedings would be initiated against Justice Liberhan, Smt. Natarajan said the reasons for delay in submission of the report will definitely be enquired.

On another question of mentioning of the name of Shri Vajpayee in the Liberhan Commission report, Smt. Natarajan said that Vajpayee had delivered a speech at that time on the issue. In this context, while reacting on the statement made by Mayawati, Smt. Natarajan further added that Mayawati had compromised with the Bhartiya Janata Party for the sake of coming into power.

Tom Vadakkan

Secretary, AICC