Lok Sabha pays tribute to heroes of the 2001 Parliament attack, mourns former speaker Shivraj Patil

The Lok Sabha on Friday remembered as Speaker Om Birla led the House in paying tribute to the soldiers who died defending Parliament during the terrorist attack of December 13, 2001.

The House collectively reaffirmed its commitment “to safeguard the nation's unity, integrity, and sovereignty by remaining steadfast in the fight against terrorism.” The message was clear: the sacrifice of those security personnel, members of the Parliament Security Service, Delhi Police and CRPF, continues to shape India’s resolve more than two decades later.

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Recalling the day terror stormed India's democracy

Notably, on that day, five heavily armed terrorists from Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed stormed the Parliament complex shortly after the House had adjourned. They opened fire indiscriminately, turning the nerve centre of the world’s largest democracy into a battleground. Around 14 people, including security personnel and one civilian, were killed. At the time, nearly 100 MPs were still inside the building.

Speaker Om Birla also expressed the House’s condolences on the passing of former Lok Sabha Speaker and Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil. Patil, a senior Congress leader, passed away at his residence in Latur at the age of 90. He had been ailing for several days.

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Shivraj Patil’s public life stretched across decades and institutions. Born on October 12, 1935, in Chakur village of Maharashtra’s Latur district, he went on to leave an indelible imprint on Indian politics.