It is not a mere building – but a great Institution – the supreme legislative body of the Nation- the PARLIAMENT. The Parliament is the supreme bicameral legislative body of the Republic of India
It was the very nerve of Indian democracy which was under attack 9 years back on 13th Dec 2001 – aimed at striking the root of democracy and those terrorists who had infiltrated the Parliament house in a car could have swept the elitist group of elected representatives but for the courage, sacrifice and steadfastness exhibited by the defence forces.
It is entirely another matter that the present winter session was the least productive ever with only seven of 138 hours of business being conducted in 22 days, caused by the stalemate over the demand and obstinate stand against the constitution of a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the 2G spectrum scandal.
On that fateful day, five gunmen entered the Parliament in a car with Home Ministry and Parliament labels. Both the houses of the Parliament had adjourned by that time but many MPs and Govtl officials were still inside the building. The Vice President's guards and security personnel shot back at the terrorists and then started closing the gates of the compound. Lady constable Kamlesh Kumari was first to spot the terrorist squad. One gunman, wearing a suicide vest, was shot dead, the vest exploding. The other four gunmen were also killed. Five policemen, a Parliament security guard, and a gardener were killed, and 18 others were injured. No members of the government were hurt.
A year later four terrorists were arrested for the attack and found guilty after trial. Mohammad Afzal Guru was the only accused to be awarded the death penalty. The sentence has been stayed as decision on his mercy petition is pending for years.
Nothing much happened later and perhaps nothing is destined to happen. Nation has a short memory and after ceremonial remembrance, everyone would be busy on something else.
Yesterday Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj were among the first to lay floral wreaths near the photographs of those killed when five heavily armed terrorists stormed the parliament complex Dec 13, 2001. Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, BJP leader L.K. Advani, ministers and other MPs paid floral tributes to them near the photographs mounted on the outer wall of Parliament House.
Such a grave disaster struck at the very heart of the Capital on the abode of democracy. The case remains inconclusive. Security Personnel did their duty and the Nation has a duty to remember them atleast.
Do also read my post last year : http://sampspeak.blogspot.com/2009/12/short-term-memory-did-you-remember-13th.html
Regards – S. Sampathkumar
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