Shashi Tharoor on Operation Sindoor: Congress MP Tharoor, while speaking in the US, explained that Operation Sindoor was launched after the Pahalgam terror attack. He said “sindoor” symbolizes a woman’s marital bond, and many women lost their husbands in the attack. Calling it “the revenge of sindoor,” Tharoor described the operation as a tribute to their pain and a powerful message of justice.

Tharoor on Operation Sindoor Explains the Deep Meaning Behind ‘Operation Sindoor’ During U.S. Visit

New Delhi: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, leading an all-party delegation to the United States, addressed the global audience about India’s firm stance on terrorism. This diplomatic mission followed Operation Sindoor, a major military initiative taken in response to a brutal terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam. During a session at the National Press Club in Washington, Tharoor was asked why the military response was named Operation Sindoor. His reply was both heartfelt and powerful.

Why the Name ‘Operation Sindoor’?

Tharoor explained that the name Sindoor was chosen with deep cultural and emotional significance. In Indian tradition, sindoor (vermilion) symbolizes a married woman’s bond with her husband. He said that in the Pahalgam terror attack, militants killed men in front of their wives, wiping away their sindoor — a heartbreaking symbol of lost companionship. Tharoor called this operation a “revenge of sindoor,” reflecting not just a military act but a symbolic strike against the cruelty of terrorism.

Terrorists Killed Husbands in Front of Wives

Tharoor highlighted the barbarity of the Pahalgam attack, where terrorists killed men in front of their wives and children. One woman reportedly cried out, asking to be killed too, but the terrorists responded coldly, “No, go back and tell them what we did.” According to Tharoor, it was this unspeakable cruelty that made the operation not just necessary, but deeply symbolic.

The Wounds of 26 Widows

He added that 26 Indian women — including one Christian and the rest Hindu — lost their husbands in the attack, thus losing the right to wear sindoor. This symbolic loss is what Operation Sindoor aimed to avenge. Tharoor further noted that the red color of sindoor is not far from the color of blood, invoking the Hindi phrase “khun ka badla khun” (blood for blood), or in this case, “sindoor ka badla khun.”

Details of India’s Military Strike

Tharoor also revealed significant details of India’s military retaliation. He said the Indian armed forces targeted 11 airfields in Pakistan, and even Pakistani sources admitted that strikes reached as far as Peshawar. Though specific damage figures remain classified, Tharoor mentioned that the offensive was so intense that Pakistan pleaded for it to stop.

A Message to China Too

During his U.S. address, Tharoor also pointed to China’s indirect involvement, saying that Pakistan used Chinese-made weapons. He mentioned that India successfully bypassed Chinese radar systems during its strikes, sending a strong geopolitical message. He referred to this military strategy as part of the “kill chain,” typically seen in modern warfare operations.

Operation Sindoor: Launched on May 7

After concluding a diplomatic visit to Brazil, the Indian delegation arrived in the U.S. to discuss Operation Sindoor. The operation was India’s direct response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in the Baisaran Valley, where 26 people — including 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali — were killed and several others injured. India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 as a decisive act of justice.

Operation Sindoor, as explained by Shashi Tharoor, stands as a powerful blend of military strategy and cultural symbolism. It shows India’s determination not only to defend its citizens but also to honor the pain of those left behind.

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