Pakistan didn’t learn a lesson: Congress Lok Sabha leader Mallikarjun Kharge

New Delhi: Stoutly rejecting Pakistan’s argument that there was “inadequate evidence” to prosecute Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi in the 26/11 attack, India on Friday prodded Islamabad to immediately reverse the bail granted to the key conspirator of the dastardly terror strike of 2008 and ensure his conviction.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj made separate statements in Lok Sabha, expressing shock over grant of bail to Lakhvi as the House unanimously adopted a resolution condemning the decision by a Pakistani court and called upon the government there to proceed “strongly with its declared intention” to appeal the bail judgement.

During the Zero Hour, Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and MPs from other parties condemned the bail granted to Lakhvi and contended that Pakistan seemed to have not learnt any lessons, especially after the attack in an Army school on Tuesday that killed over 140 children.

They also demanded that Mr Modi make a statement in the House.

Acceding the sentiments expressed in the House, the Prime Minister made a brief statement saying the bail to Lakhvi has come as a shock to all those who believe in humanity world over, particularly after every “Indian shared the pain of the massacre of Pakistani children in Peshawar” on Tuesday.

“The pain felt in India was no less than that was felt in Pakistan. Every Indian had tears in eyes... but immediately after that this kind of behaviour has come as shock to all those who believe in humanity,” Mr Modi said and assured the House that the sentiments expressed by the members will be reflected in the government's future actions.

Soon after, Ms Swaraj, making a statement, said India has conveyed its position in “clear and unambiguous terms” that it does not accept the fact that Lakhvi can be released on bail.

“We reject the contention that there is inadequate evidence to prosecute him and his fellow conspirators. There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that the Mumbai terror attack conspiracy was planned, financed, and trained for in Pakistan,” she said, while reminding Pakistan that it was its responsibility to secure a conviction.

The minister also said the bail granted to Lakhvi makes “absolute mockery” of the Pakistan’s professed commitment to fight terror groups without hesitation and without making false distinctions.

“It will only reassure those who perpetrated the recent heinous attack in Peshawar, that they too will be allowed to continue their activities unabated. We urge the Government of Pakistan to immediately take steps to reverse this decision,” she said.

The resolution expressed concerned at the numerous delays in the prosecution and the apathetic attitude of the Government of Pakistan, which has resulted in the grant of bail to an accused terrorist.

“We express the grave concern of the Indian people that just one day after the tragic killing of 145 innocent children and other persons in Peshawar, an accused terrorist could be released on bail by the same country. It seems that the lesson that there should be no compromise with terrorists has not been learnt," the resolution said.