Modi pays homage to ’01 attack heroes

NEW DELHI: Just hours before the security breach, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and vice-president Jagdeep Dhankhar, on Wednesday led the nation in paying tributes to those who laid down their lives in the 2001 terror attack on Parliament.

Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, Union home minister Amit Shah, parliamentary affairs minister Pralhad Joshi, commerce minister Piyush Goyal, science and technology minister Jitendra Singh were among others who offered floral tributes to the martyrs. Modi was seen interacting with the family members of the martyrs, particularly children who had gathered for the ceremony on a wintry morning. Later, Modi was seen having a chat with the RS Chairman. Congress leader Rajiv Shukla was also seen having a word with the PM before he departed from the venue.

In a post on X, vice-president Dhankhar said, “Remembering the courageous security personnel who laid down their lives during the attack on our Parliament in 2001. Bharat is forever indebted to them for their supreme sacrifice.” “Terrorism remains a threat to humanity worldwide, and it is imperative for nations to stand united in eradicating this obstacle to global peace,” he said.

Paying tributes to the security personnel, Modi said, “Today, we remember and pay heartfelt tributes to the brave security personnel martyred in the Parliament attack in 2001. Their courage and sacrifice in the face of danger will forever be etched in our nation's memory.”

Lok Sabha Speaker Birla in a post on X said, “Paid tributes to the security personnel and parliamentary staff who made supreme sacrifice while protecting the temple of democracy during the terrorist attack in the Parliament House premises. The example of loyalty, dedication and dutifulness that they presented is worthy of rever ence for the country men.”