PM Modi, President Murmu lead tributes on 24th anniversary of Parliament attack

India on Saturday marked the 24th anniversary of the 2001 Parliament terror attack, with the country’s top leadership cutting across party lines paying homage to the security personnel who laid down their lives defending the nation’s highest democratic institution.

A solemn tribute ceremony was held outside the old Parliament building, Samvidhan Sadan, where Vice President C P Radhakrishnan led parliamentarians in offering floral tributes. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the first to pay respects, joined by leaders from both the ruling NDA and the opposition.

CISF personnel presented a ceremonial guard of honour, followed by a moment of silence in remembrance of those who died while thwarting the attack. Until 2023, the honour had traditionally been rendered by the CRPF with a ‘salami shastra’.

Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were present at the ceremony, along with Union ministers Kiren Rijiju, Jitendra Singh, and Arjun Ram Meghwal. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla was unable to attend as he was in Maharashtra’s Latur for the funeral of former Speaker and Union minister Shivraj Patil.

The President, Droupadi Murmu, paid tribute in a message on X, saluting the “courageous heroes” whose valour continues to inspire the nation. She said India remains indebted to the fallen personnel and their families, while reaffirming the country’s resolve to fight terrorism in all its forms.

Prime Minister Modi also remembered the martyrs, while Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath described the attack as a brutal assault on India’s sovereignty and the dignity of democracy. Union minister Nitin Gadkari echoed the sentiment, calling the sacrifice of the security personnel an eternal reminder of courage in the face of terror.

The CRPF paid special tribute to Constable Kamlesh Kumari of the 88 Battalion, who was posthumously awarded the Ashoka Chakra for her extraordinary bravery. Despite being grievously injured, she continued to pursue the terrorists and relay vital information that helped neutralise all five attackers.

On December 13, 2001, five terrorists belonging to Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed attempted to storm the Parliament complex. Security personnel from the Parliament Security Service, Delhi Police, and CRPF foiled the attack, preventing the terrorists from entering the building. Several security personnel and civilians lost their lives, while all five terrorists were killed.

Earlier, both Houses of Parliament also paid tributes, reaffirming their collective resolve to safeguard India’s unity, integrity, and democratic values against terrorism.