2001 Attack on Parliament: Tributes to Fallen Heroes
All five terrorists were gunned down in the forecourt of the then Parliament building.
New Delhi:Vice-president and Rajya Sabha chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan on Saturday led parliamentarians in paying floral tributes to those who died fending off terrorists who attacked the Parliament House in 2001. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mr Radhakrishana were among the first to offer tributes to the fallen heroes on the 24th anniversary of the attack.
Separately, President Droupadi Murmu paid tribute to the "courageous heroes" who laid down their lives while protecting Parliament. She said the country remains indebted to them and their families.
"On this day, we reaffirm India's commitment to fight terrorism in all its forms," Ms Murmu said in a post on X.
A brief function was held outside the now old Parliament building (Samvidhan Sadan) every December 13 to mark the day. CISF personnel presented a salute or "samman guard" at the venue, after which a moment of silence was observed to mark the anniversary. Till 2023, the CRPF used to offer "salami shastra" (present arms).
Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were also present at the event. Union ministers Kiren Rijiju, Jitendra Singh and Arjun Ram Meghwal also lined up to offer flower petals at the photographs of the personnel who went down foiling the attack.
Later in a social media post, the Prime Minister said, "Our nation remembers those who laid down their lives during the heinous attack on our Parliament in 2001 on this day."
"In the face of grave danger, their courage, alertness and unwavering sense of duty were remarkable. India will forever remain grateful for their supreme sacrifice," Mr Modi posted while sharing photographs of the homage ceremony.
Union home minister Amit Shah also paid tributes to the security personnel who laid down their lives while fighting terrorists with "indomitable courage and valour" during the 2001 Parliament attack.
In a message posted on X, Mr Shah said, "This nation will forever remain indebted to the sacrifice and martyrdom of these heroic warriors."
"Today is the day to once again recall that indomitable courage and valour of our security forces against terrorism, when in 2001 they thwarted the cowardly terrorist attack on the temple of the world's largest democracy -- our Parliament House -- with their spirit," the Union home minister said, adding, "I pay homage to the security personnel who attained martyrdom while giving a befitting reply to the terrorists."
The attack on the Parliament building in 2001 while the House was in session was carried out by five armed terrorists, but personnel from the former Parliament Security Service, CRPF and Delhi police foiled the attack, with no terrorist being able to enter the building.
Six Delhi police personnel, two Parliament Security Service personnel, a gardener and a TV journalist were killed in the attack. All five terrorists were gunned down in the forecourt of the then Parliament building.