Shashi Tharoor Hails ‘Operation Sindoor’ as ‘Brilliantly Chosen’ Name
Tharoor Praises ‘Operation Sindoor’ Name, Links it to Terrorism
During a session at the National Press Club in Washington DC, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, leading an all-party delegation to the US, praised the name ‘Operation Sindoor’, calling it ‘brilliantly chosen’. The operation was launched in response to a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, where 26 people were killed and several injured.
Understanding the Significance of Sindoor
Tharoor explained that sindoor, a vermilion mark applied to the foreheads of married women in Hindu tradition, holds deep cultural significance. ‘The colour of sindoor is not very different from the colour of blood,’ he said, adding that the operation’s name symbolizes ‘blood in response to what the terrorists have done to the sindoor’. He even used the Hindi expression ‘khoon ka badla khoon’, meaning blood for blood.
Background of Operation Sindoor
On April 22, a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, resulted in 26 fatalities and several injuries. In response, Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The operation aimed to eliminate top terror leaders from Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba.
Implications and Reactions
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had vowed to avenge the terror attack, reportedly coined the name ‘Operation Sindoor’. The operation is seen as India’s revenge on behalf of the widows of the Pahalgam terror attack. Tharoor highlighted that the terrorists had spared women during the attack, telling one wife who screamed to be killed, ‘No, you go back and tell them what we’ve done.’
Diplomatic Outreach and Future Developments
The all-party delegation, including members from various Indian parties, met with US lawmakers, including the Bipartisan Caucus co-chairs and the US House Foreign Affairs Committee leadership. They briefed the members on India’s stance against terrorism and cross-border terrorism faced by India. As India continues its diplomatic outreach, the success of Operation Sindoor and its implications on global counter-terrorism efforts will be closely watched.
Looking ahead, the Indian government may consider further actions against terrorism, potentially including more operations like Operation Sindoor. The international community will likely be monitoring India’s moves, as the country asserts its strong stance against terrorism.
