New Delhi: Vice President C P Radhakrishnan on Saturday led parliamentarians in paying floral tributes to the security personnel and others who lost their lives while foiling the terrorist attack on Parliament House in 2001, as the nation marked the 24th anniversary of the incident.
Leaders across parties attend tribute ceremony
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vice President Radhakrishnan, who is also the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, were among the first to offer floral tributes at the solemn ceremony. Leaders cutting across party lines gathered to honour the courage and sacrifice of those who laid down their lives defending the country’s highest democratic institution.
Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, and senior Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were present at the event. Several Union ministers, including Kiren Rijiju, Jitendra Singh and Arjun Ram Meghwal, also paid homage by offering flower petals at the photographs of the fallen personnel.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla was not present at the ceremony as he was in Latur to attend the funeral of former Lok Sabha Speaker and former Union minister Shivraj Patil.
Annual observance at Samvidhan Sadan
A brief commemorative function is held every year on December 13 outside the old Parliament building, now known as Samvidhan Sadan, to mark the anniversary of the attack. The ceremony serves as a reminder of the grave threat faced by the nation on that day and the bravery displayed by security forces in neutralising it.
During the observance, personnel of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) presented a “samman guard” as a mark of respect. This was followed by a moment of silence, observed in memory of those who were killed while protecting Parliament. Until 2023, this ceremonial honour was traditionally performed by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), which offered the ‘salami shastra’ or present arms.
Recalling the 2001 Parliament attack
The Parliament attack on December 13, 2001, is considered one of the most serious terrorist assaults on India’s democratic framework. Five heavily armed terrorists attempted to storm the Parliament complex with the intention of causing mass casualties and destabilising the country.
Alert and swift action by personnel from the then Parliament Security Service, the CRPF and the Delhi Police ensured that the terrorists were stopped before they could enter the Parliament building. All five attackers were killed in the forecourt of the complex after an intense exchange of fire.
Lives lost in defence of democracy
The attack claimed the lives of several security personnel and civilians. Six Delhi Police personnel, two members of the Parliament Security Service, a gardener working on the premises, and a television video journalist were killed in the line of duty. Their sacrifice is remembered every year as an example of extraordinary courage and commitment to protecting the nation.
Over the years, the incident has led to major changes in Parliament security arrangements, including stricter access control, enhanced surveillance and the involvement of specialised forces to safeguard the complex.
Significance of the remembrance
Political leaders and officials attending the ceremony reiterated that the annual tribute is not only an act of remembrance but also a reaffirmation of India’s resolve against terrorism. The presence of leaders from across the political spectrum underlined the collective respect for those who defended the country’s democratic institutions at the cost of their lives.
Conclusion
As India marked 24 years since the Parliament attack, the tribute ceremony served as a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made by security personnel and civilians in protecting the heart of the nation’s democracy. Their bravery continues to be honoured as a symbol of unity, vigilance and unwavering commitment to national security.