AAP’s Candle March Across 70 Delhi Assemblies Condemns Pahalgam Terror Attack

New Delhi, April 30, 2025 – In a unified stand against terrorism, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday organized candlelight marches across all 70 Assembly constituencies in Delhi to protest the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The initiative, which saw participation from MLAs, councilors, local leaders, and residents, was aimed at expressing solidarity with the victims and raising concerns about the nation’s internal security.

Widespread Participation, Unified Grief

From Patparganj to Greater Kailash, and Wazirpur to Madipur, people gathered in large numbers, candles in hand, to pay tribute to those killed in the attack. Notably, areas like Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Market, Jamarudpur village, and Nangloi witnessed emotional scenes as citizens stood in silence, mourning the innocent lives lost.

AAP leaders emphasized that this was the first time tourists were directly targeted in such a barbaric attack, pointing to a serious lapse in intelligence and security protocols in the Union Territory.

AAP Demands Accountability, Supports Decisive Action

Delhi AAP chief Saurabh Bharadwaj condemned the attack, calling it “a direct blow to national security.” He stated, “This is not just an act of brutality, but a glaring failure of our internal security setup. The Aam Aadmi Party stands by any strong measure the Central Government decides to take against the perpetrators.”

He also urged the Centre to expedite the investigation and ensure that those behind the attack face strict and timely punishment. Bharadwaj further called for an overhaul in the law-and-order machinery and intelligence coordination in Jammu and Kashmir.

Echoes of Protest: Jantar Mantar March

This isn’t the first time AAP has voiced its protest. On April 23, party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal led a similar candle march at Jantar Mantar, where senior party leaders paid tribute and met with family members of the victims.

The party reiterated its commitment to upholding India’s unity and called upon citizens to remain vigilant, while urging the government to adopt a more proactive stance in countering terrorism in sensitive regions like Kashmir.

Public Sentiment: Grief, Anger, and Solidarity

The candle marches were not just political gestures—they reflected Delhiites’ growing anxiety over national security. Locals expressed not just grief, but frustration over repeated intelligence failures. “Tourism is Kashmir’s backbone. If tourists aren’t safe, what message are we sending to the world?” asked a resident of Mandawali.

With the Lok Sabha elections around the corner, security lapses in conflict zones could become a major electoral talking point. AAP’s assertive stance seems to be a precursor to the party’s deeper engagement in national security discourse.