Congress Organizes Candlelight Vigil in Karnataka to Denounce Pahalgam Terror Incident
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Synopsis
The Congress party in Karnataka is organizing candlelight marches across the state to condemn the recent Pahalgam terror attack, which resulted in the deaths of 26 individuals. Led by D.K. Shivakumar, party leaders will pay their respects on Friday evening.
Key Takeaways
- Candlelight vigil planned across Karnataka.
- Event to honor victims of the Pahalgam terror attack.
- Participation from all Congress party members is encouraged.
- Emphasis on maintaining peace and unity in the country.
- Plans for a Cauvery Aarti at KRS Dam.
Mysuru (Karnataka), April 25 (NationPress) The ruling Congress party in Karnataka has instructed its leaders to conduct a candlelight vigil in all district headquarters throughout the state on Friday evening, in response to the Pahalgam terror attack where 26 individuals lost their lives to terrorist gunfire in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).
Karnataka Congress President and Deputy Chief Minister, D.K. Shivakumar, emphasized in Mysuru on Friday, “In honor of all those who fell victim to the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, and to pray for their souls, party workers and leaders must participate in a candlelight protest across all district headquarters.”
“The Congress party has communicated this directive. I have also conveyed that every party worker should take part in this candlelight protest at this significant time. The Congress party firmly denounces this incident. We will provide full support to uphold peace, unity, and integrity in the nation, and we are dedicated to this mission,” stated Dy CM Shivakumar.
When questioned about potential security oversights linked to the Pahalgam terror attack, Dy CM Shivakumar remarked that the Congress party will refrain from allocating blame at this time.
“This is not the appropriate moment for criticism or accusations. Let the BJP make any statements they wish. I represent a responsible political party,” he explained.
“If anyone shares an opinion about this situation, it will be sensationalized by the media. Right now, what we need is peace. We must not allow ourselves to be divided by the actions of a few individuals. If foreign entities are coming here to instigate violence, we must not end up fighting amongst ourselves,” he added.
“The central government has already asserted that they will enforce strict measures. The Congress party has called upon them to do so. The ball is now in the Centre's court,” he stated.
Shivakumar also shared a video plea directed at party members: “All party MLAs, leaders, and workers — we should collectively bow our heads in remembrance following the terror attack in Kashmir. It is our obligation to safeguard the integrity, unity, and peace of our nation.”
“The Congress party has sent me this message, and I am relaying it to you. A prayer service should take place at all district headquarters, including Bengaluru, on Friday at 7 p.m. We must honor the victims by participating in a candlelight vigil with candles or lamps.”
Dy CM Shivakumar further informed the media, “We have decided to carry out a ‘Cauvery Aarti’ at the KRS Dam, similar to the Ganga Aarti, and have allocated Rs 98 crore for this initiative. A committee has been established with representatives from the Religious Endowment Department, the Tourism Department, the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), among other agencies. We have convened a meeting to determine the most suitable location at the dam. We are also making arrangements to include coastal Karnataka’s traditional sport, ‘Kambala,’ in this year’s Mysuru Dasara celebrations.”
“The Cauvery Aarti is strictly a religious initiative. The Cauvery River is our lifeline — essential not only for Karnataka but also for Tamil Nadu and Kerala. It provides drinking water, sustains agriculture, and supplies water to Bengaluru and industrial areas. We must offer our prayers to Goddess Cauvery. Hence, we are commencing the tradition of venerating the river. This event will be collaboratively organized by the Religious Endowment, Kannada and Culture, Tourism, Irrigation, and BWSSB departments,” concluded Dy CM Shivakumar.
