BJP, Congress are sadly the same. So are their reactions to Mumbai and Uri attacks

The nation is still reeling under the terror attack on the army brigade headquarters at Uri on Sunday, in which 18 soldiers were martyred and more than 25 injured. In the aftermath of the strike, the entire country is looking at the government, closely monitoring how it is going to take counter-terror measures and what they will be.

But this is not the first time the Indian government has had to weigh its response in the face of grave provocation attributed directly or indirectly to Pakistan. 

Let's see how the Monmohan Singh government responded after the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai, and how the Narendra Modi government is reacting after the Uri attack — both in the face of public anger and pressure to give a “befitting reply” to Pakistan.

POST-26/11 REACTIONS

Prime Minister Manmohan singh

- In a televised address, Singh said India would “go after” individuals and organisations behind the terrorist attacks which were “well-planned with external linkages”. In addition, the attacks were "intended to create a sense of panic by choosing high-profile targets and indiscriminately killing innocent foreigners", he said.

- Neighbours will pay for hosting terror: while condemning the assault in most severe terms, the PM assured Indian citizens that all possible measures would be taken against the perpetrators of the outrage. He said "(we) will go after perpetrators " of the attacks all the way, and that laws will be tightened as per the need. 

- The PM said the National Security Act would be enforced so that the terrorists cannot escape. He also addressed the long standing demand of setting up a federal agency to tackle terror, saying such an organisation would be established and police reforms would be initiated. "We cannot countenance a situation in which the safety and security of our citizen can be violated with such impunity," he had insisted firmly.

- The PM warned India's neighbours that they would not be allowed to use their territory for anti-India activities. "It is evident that the group which carried out these attacks, based outside the country, had come with the single-minded determination of creating havoc in the commercial capital of the country," he said.

- His statement after the attack: "I strongly condemn the bomb blasts in Mumbai this evening. I appeal to the people of Mumbai to remain calm and show a united face."

Pranab Mukherjee (foreign minister)

- Mukherjee stressed that Pakistan will have to put a check on infiltrators and dismantle all camps and infrastructure which were operating on its land with the sole objective of destabilising India. "Pakistan has made the promise on two such occasions; first it was a joint statement by former president Pervez Musharaff and former Indian PM Atal Behari Vajpayee on January 6, 2004. The second was on Setember 24, 2008, when PM Manmohan Singh met Pakistani president Asif Ali Zardari in New York," - suggesting Pakistan failed on his promises.  

- Mukherjee also said: “I am determined to take appropriate action at the appropriate time.”

Shivraj Patil (home minister)

- “No aircraft was available here (in Delhi), and then we called one from Chandigarh and dispatched 250-300 NSG commandos within a few hours to Mumbai and I also traveled with them. That was a freight aircraft and we travelled to Mumbai standing,” he said.

P Chidambaram (finance minister)

- Because of the close timing of the bomb blasts, "we infer this was a coordinated attack by terrorists," he said. "The entire city of Mumbai has been put on high alert," he added, and that "I would appeal to the people of Mumbai and people all over the country to remain calm and to maintain peace."

AK Antony (defence minister)

- He said that even after 26/11 there had been no serious attempt by Pakistan to dismantle terrorist outfits based on its territory. “That’s the major worry. We will do everything to prevent this. For that we are examining all available options,” he told reporters.

- "After the terror attack on Mumbai, our investigating agencies conducted a thorough investigation. They have come to the conclusion that the attackers came via the sea route," he said.

- In 2013, he said India will not be satisfied till Pakistan gives maximum punishment to the perpetrators of the 26/11 attack.

LK Advani (Leader of the Opposition)

-  He asked the people of India to stay united during the emergency. He also said: "We will take the strongest possible measures to ensure there is no repetition of such terrorist acts."

POST-URI REACTIONS

PM Narendra Modi

- "Have spoken to the home minister and defence minister. The defence minister will go to J&K himself to take stock of the situation," he said.

- "We salute all those martyred in Uri. Their service to the nation will always be remembered. My thoughts are with the bereaved families," the PM condoled the country.

- He said: "We strongly condemn the cowardly terror attack in Uri. I assure the nation that those behind this despicable attack will not go unpunished."

Manohar Parrikar (defence minister)

- The supreme sacrifice of 18 brave soldiers will not go in vain. My salute to them. I condemn the cowardly terror attack in Uri, he said.

- "Reviewed situation in Kashmir following the Uri attack with the Army Chief and commanders. Instructed (them) to take firm action against those responsible," he said.

Rajnath Singh (home minister)

- I am deeply disappointed with Pakistan’s continued and direct support to terrorism and terrorist groups, he said.

- "There are definite and conclusive indications that the perpetrators of the Uri attack were highly trained, heavily-armed and specially-equipped," he said, and also "Pakistan is a terrorist state and it should be identified and isolated as such."

- "My heartfelt condolences to the families of the martyred soldiers. Those behind this terror incident will be brought to justice," he promised.

- "Deeply distressed by the terror incident in Uri and the loss of brave soldiers. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured," he added.

Sonia Gandhi (Congress president)

- She joined Modi in condemning the attack, and expressed hope that not only the perpetrators, but “the forces behind them” will be severely dealt with and brought to book. She called the “cowardly attack” a “deplorable affront on our national conscience”.

Interestingly, on November 30, 2008, minister for home affairs Shivraj Patil had resigned, taking moral responsibility for the security lapse. After his resignation, P Chidambaram was given his post.

It's nothing but a proxy war by Pakistan, but the Indian political mindset seems not to have changed.

Also read: Making sense of Pakistan's desperate quest to bleed India