Rahul Gandhi Promises Education Support for 22 Children Who Lost Families in Cross-Border Violence during Operation Sindoot

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Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has decided to adopt 22 children from Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district who lost either both parents or the sole breadwinner of their families in Pakistani shelling during Operation Sindoor. As part of this humanitarian gesture, Gandhi will bear all educational expenses for these children until they complete their graduation.

Operation Sindoor was launched by the Indian Armed Forces on May 7, 2025, targeting nine terror infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The precision strikes were carried out in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, which claimed 26 civilian lives. Following India’s strikes, Pakistani forces resorted to heavy shelling, missile attacks, and drone strikes along the Line of Control (LoC), causing widespread destruction in civilian areas of Jammu and Kashmir.

Poonch was among the worst-affected regions during May 7–10, 2025, witnessing 13 civilian deaths out of the 28 fatalities reported across Jammu and Kashmir. Dozens of others, including several children, were injured, and many families lost their homes and livelihoods. Among the victims was Vihaan Bhargav, a young boy killed by shrapnel while his family attempted to escape the shelling.

Rahul Gandhi visited Poonch on May 24, 2025, to meet the victims of the violence and express solidarity with bereaved families. During his visit, he also stopped at Christ Public School to meet the classmates of 12-year-old twins Urba Fatima and Zain Ali, who were killed in the shelling. Speaking to the grieving children, Gandhi said he was proud of their strength and encouraged them to study hard, play hard, make many friends in school, and not worry, assuring them that things would eventually return to normal.

Following this visit, Gandhi instructed local Congress leaders to prepare a list of school-going children who had lost one or both parents, particularly the sole breadwinner, during the cross-border violence. A survey was conducted, and the names of 22 children were finalized after cross-checking with official records, according to Jammu and Kashmir Congress chief Tariq Hamid Karra.

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Karra confirmed that the first installment of financial aid will be released this week to ensure the children can continue their schooling without disruption. The support will cover their educational expenses through to graduation, providing long-term stability for the affected families.

Rahul Gandhi, who has often spoken against divisive politics using his slogan “Mohabbat ki Dukaan (Shop of Love)” during the Bharat Jodo Yatra, reiterated his commitment to standing with victims of conflict. Sharing his experience on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote:

“Today I met the families of those who lost their lives in shelling by Pakistani troops in Poonch. Damaged houses, scattered belongings, moist eyes, and painful stories of losing loved ones — these patriotic families bear the biggest burden of war with courage and dignity every time. Salute to their courage.”

The cross-border shelling from May 7 to May 10, 2025, left 13 civilians dead in Poonch and injured more than 70 people across Jammu and Kashmir. Homes were destroyed, schools disrupted, and several children were orphaned. Gandhi’s adoption initiative aims to help these 22 children rebuild their lives through uninterrupted education and emotional support. [Rh/VP]

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