New Delhi, Dec 13: Vice President C P Radhakrishnan led parliamentarians in solemn floral tributes on Saturday to honour the security personnel who lost their lives repelling the 2001 terrorist attack on Parliament House, marking the 24th anniversary of the audacious assault.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined Radhakrishnan, the Rajya Sabha Chairman, among the first dignitaries to pay respects at the memorial outside the historic Parliament building, now known as Samvidhan Sadan. CISF personnel offered a ceremonial “samman guard” salute, followed by a poignant moment of silence to commemorate the fallen heroes.
Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, and senior figure Priyanka Gandhi Vadra attended the brief ceremony, alongside Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju, Jitendra Singh, and Arjun Ram Meghwal, who laid flower petals at portraits of the martyrs. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla was absent, attending the funeral of former Speaker and Union Minister Shivraj Patil in Latur.
The 2001 attack involved five armed terrorists who were prevented from breaching the building by valiant efforts from Parliament Security Service, CRPF, and Delhi Police personnel. Nine defenders—a gardener, TV journalist, six Delhi Police constables, and two security staff—laid down their lives, while all attackers were neutralized in the forecourt.
