BJP MP Nishikant Dubey (image-Facebook/Dr Nishikant Dubey)
Srinagar: As tensions between India and Pakistan escalate following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that claimed at least 26 lives on Wednesday, the spotlight has turned towards controversial BJP MP Nishikant Dubey. While the opposition raised questions over the central government’s intelligence failures that led to no security personnel reportedly present in over a 5.5 km stretch from the tourist spot, the BJP MP’s recent wedding anniversary celebration in the Valley has sparked criticism.
Just ten days before the attack, Dubey reportedly hosted a high-profile family function in Gulmarg on the occasion of his 25th wedding anniversary. The event, held at the luxury Khyber hotel over three days, was attended by politicians from across party lines. With tight security arrangements at the venue, the prioritisation and potential misuse of security forces for VIP gatherings at private events are now under scrutiny following the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir.
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During a closed-door all-party meeting on Thursday, with top ministers and opposition leaders in attendance, the central government admitted to security lapses. Officials admitted the site was a 45-minute uphill walk, and no proper Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) was in place to deal with such contingencies.
Pahalgam is known to be a heavily guarded area, always secured by a three-tier security arrangement. Despite a heavy presence of tourists on Wednesday, there were no security personnel deployed on the Pahalgam-Baisaran route.
Taking to his X, journalist Sanjay Sharma said, “Just imagine, so much security force was deployed in Kashmir for the party of a hate-mongering MP and the security force is missing for the tourists.”
“How many Noida channels will do a debate on the grand party at the Khyber Gulmarg by a BJP MP days before the terror attack? Imagine if an opposition MP had done something similar. Anchors would have rushed to Gulmarg by now to shriek from rooftops on misuse of security forces,” Rohini Singh, another renowned journalist, observed.
The gruesome attack on Sunday was carried out by terrorists linked to a Lashkar-e-Taiba offshoot, targeting a group of tourists in the meadows of Baisaran. Among the deceased were 25 Indian tourists from 14 states and one Nepali national. The assault is being described as one of the worst attacks on civilians in recent years.
Also Read | Pahalgam Terror Attack | In All Party Meeting, Central Government Admits Security Lapses: Report
In response, the government has already taken several diplomatic measures including the cancellation of all visas for Pakistani nationals, suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, and closure of the Attari border. While speculation of military retaliation is rife, government sources indicated that no military options were discussed in the meeting.
Meanwhile, Pakistan responded with a warning to suspend bilateral agreements including the Simla Accord and plans to reduce Indian diplomatic presence in the country.
