TMC Leader Abhishek Banerjee Demands Reclamation of PoK After Pahalgam Attack

In a bold statement following the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, Trinamool Congress (TMC) General Secretary and Lok Sabha MP Abhishek Banerjee has called for the reclamation of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The attack on April 22, which claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists, in the scenic Baisaran meadow, has reignited tensions between India and Pakistan, with Banerjee’s remarks further mounting pressure on the Modi government.

In a post on X on April 27, Banerjee criticized the Union government and mainstream media for focusing on political narratives rather than investigating security lapses that led to the attack. “Over the past few days, I have been closely following the conduct of the mainstream media and those at the helm of Union Govt. Instead of deeply investigating the lapses that led to this unprecedented terror attack in PAHALGAM, they seem more focused on pushing a narrative that benefits a particular political party,” he wrote. He urged the government to move beyond “petty politics” and take decisive action against Pakistan.

Banerjee’s demand to “teach them a lesson in the language they understand” and “reclaim Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK)” mark a significant escalation in opposition’s demand for cognizable action from the Union Government. He explicitly dismissed “surgical strikes or symbolic threats” as insufficient, advocating for a more aggressive stance. “It’s time to RECLAIM Pakistan Occupied KASHMIR (PoK). Period,” he concluded. 

BJP's Claims on PoK and the Political Context

Over the past decade, leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, have repeatedly raised the issue of reclaiming Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) during election rallies and public addresses. These statements have often been framed as part of the party’s nationalist agenda, resonating with voters who view PoK as an integral part of India. However, despite the BJP’s 11-year tenure at the Centre (2014–2025), no concrete steps toward reclaiming PoK have materialized, prompting scrutiny in light of recent demands from the united opposition. The 2019 Pulwama attack, which killed 40 CRPF personnel, led to Indian airstrikes in Pakistan’s Balakot, further straining ties between India and Pakistan.