How Are Families Honoring the Martyrs of the Parliament Attack on Its 24th Anniversary?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Emotional tributes from families highlight the ongoing impact of the 2001 attack.
- Remembrance plays a vital role in honoring the sacrifices made by martyrs.
- The attack led to enhanced security measures in the Indian Parliament.
- Continued acknowledgment ensures that legacies endure.
- Families advocate for national remembrance and pride in sacrifice.
New Delhi, Dec 13 (NationPress) As India commemorates the 24th anniversary of the 2001 Parliament terror attack on Saturday, emotions surged as the families of the martyrs reflected on the ultimate sacrifice made by their loved ones. They expressed both pride and heartfelt gratitude for the nation’s ongoing recognition of their sacrifices.
Families of the deceased security personnel and civilians emphasized that while the grief is everlasting, the consistent tributes and memories provide them with strength and comfort throughout the years.
In an interview with IANS, Umraosingh Yadav, a relative of martyr J. P. Yadav, shared their emotional response to the honor bestowed upon the heroes. “We are filled with pride and feel content with the respect being shown. Though God may have taken him from us, I am incredibly proud of him,” he said, underscoring the profound sense of honor linked to such sacrifices.
Sunita Bisht, the widow of a cameraman who perished during the attack, recounted the tragic events surrounding her husband's death. “I am the wife of the cameraman who lost his life in that attack. He was filming at the time of the incident. Tragically, he was shot and died. The respect the government shows to the martyrs fills me with pride,” she stated.
Ganga Devi, spouse of slain Delhi Police officer Nanak Chand, shared her feelings of pride as well. “The tributes being paid to the martyrs are commendable and instill a great sense of pride in me. Our children can see how he selflessly sacrificed for the nation,” she noted, emphasizing the significance of remembrance for future generations.
Lucky, the granddaughter of Nanak Chand, expressed how meaningful the occasion is for her. “Witnessing this moment is profoundly proud for me. Though I wasn’t born when he sacrificed himself, I now understand his contributions to the country,” she shared.
On December 13, 2001, five terrorists affiliated with Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) executed a bold attack on the Parliament complex in New Delhi. They drove a vehicle with forged Home Ministry and Parliament insignias and infiltrated the high-security area using counterfeit identity stickers. Armed with AK-47 rifles, grenade launchers, pistols, and hand grenades, they posed a serious threat.
Even though both Houses of Parliament had adjourned approximately 40 minutes earlier, over 100 individuals, including several Members of Parliament and high-ranking officials like then Home Minister L.K. Advani and then Minister of State for Defence Harin Pathak, remained inside the complex.
Constable Kamlesh Kumari of the Central Reserve Police Force was the first to notice the attackers and raise the alarm, but she was tragically shot dead on the spot. In the ensuing firefight, all five terrorists were neutralized by security forces, yet nine individuals—comprising six Delhi Police officers, two Parliament Security Service staffers, and a gardener—lost their lives, with at least 17 others sustaining injuries.
Two decades later, the families of the martyrs affirm that the nation’s ongoing remembrance guarantees their sacrifices will never fade from memory.