Rahul writes to PM, seeks relief package for Poonch and other areas affected by Pak shelling

New Delhi | Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and demanded that the government must provide a concrete, generous and immediate relief and rehabilitation package for Poonch and other areas affected by Pakistani shelling.

Last Saturday, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha visited Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir and spent time with the affected people, including the families who lost their members in the cross-border attacks between May 7 and May 10.

Gandhi also visited shelling-hit Gurdwara Singh Sabha, temple Geeta Bhawan and Madrassa Zia-ul-Uloom, besides interacting with the students at the Christ High School.

In his letter to Modi, Gandhi said he recently visited Poonch, where 14 people including 4 children have tragically lost their lives and dozens have been injured in Pakistani shelling.

"This sudden and indiscriminate attack has caused massive destruction in the civilian areas. Hundreds of homes, shops, schools and religious places have been badly damaged. Many victims said that their years of hard work has been destroyed in one stroke," he wrote.

The people of Poonch and other border areas have been living in peace and harmony for decades, he said.

"Today when they are going through this deep crisis, it is our duty to understand their pain and provide all possible assistance to rebuild their lives. I urge the Government of India to come up with a solid and generous relief and rehabilitation package for Poonch and all other areas affected by Pakistani shelling," Gandhi said.

Sharing a video from the visit, Gandhi said on X, "The pain of Poonch can be felt only after going there. Broken homes, shattered lives - even from the echo of this pain, only one voice comes out - we Indians are one."

"I am not requesting, but reminding the government of its responsibility - a concrete, generous and immediate relief and rehabilitation package should be prepared for Poonch and other areas affected by Pakistani shelling. This is not help, it is a duty," Gandhi said in his post in Hindi on X.

In the video, many people affected by the shelling were seen sharing their experiences with Gandhi.

Gandhi on Saturday had said the border district in Jammu and Kashmir embodies the "harmony, unity and patriotism of Hindustan" and those trying to divide the country will never succeed in their design.

Poonch faced the brunt of the Pakistani shelling that left 28 people dead and 70 injured.

This was Gandhi's second visit to the Union territory since the dastardly April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed the lives of 26 people, mostly tourists.

Gandhi had also visited Srinagar on April 25 to meet those injured in the attack. He met Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and several stakeholders then.

BJP slams Mamata for 'dismissing' Operation Sindoor as 'mere business of sindoor’

Kolkata | The BJP on Thursday hit out at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for “insulting” India’s armed forces by dubbing Operation Sindoor a “business of sindoor”, accusing her of resorting to cheap political rhetoric that undermines national pride and patriotism.

Earlier in the day, Banerjee accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of attempting to gain political mileage out of Operation Sindoor - the Centre's military response to the April 22 Pahalgam attack.

Senior BJP leader and Bengal co-incharge Amit Malviya took to X to condemn Mamata Banerjee’s remarks, stating, “Shame! How low can political pettiness go? Mamata Banerjee has now dismissed Operation Sindoor as merely a ‘business of sindoor.’ This is her true face—mocking sacrifice, patriotism, and the courage of our armed forces.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi has safeguarded India with unmatched dedication and resolve. Yet Mamata Banerjee, driven solely by vote-bank politics, chooses to belittle the valour and sacrifices made in defence of India’s security and honour. History will remember who stood with the nation—and who mocked its heroes.”

Bengal BJP president and Union minister Sukanta Majumdar also slammed the CM, describing her comments a betrayal of the sacrifice of brave soldiers.

“Calling ‘Operation Sindoor’ a ‘business of sindoor’ is an indescribable insult and a betrayal of the sacrifice of our brave soldiers. Our Prime Minister @narendramodiJi is working tirelessly to protect the pride and security of the nation, but West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee is stuck in the quagmire of vote-bank politics!” he said on X.

“This is not politics—it is a betrayal of the nation’s sentiments for the sake of narrow political interests. Failed Chief Minister @MamataOfficial’s only concern is votes, not the country,” Majumdar asserted.

Speaking to reporters, Majumdar said the chief minister “needs to learn” what to speak and when.

“Operation Sindoor is a big victory of our armed forces, and we will celebrate it. TMC should also celebrate by taking out ‘tiranga yatras’ in areas of their votebank,” he said.

Banerjee, during a press conference on Thursday, had alleged: “The Centre named the (military offensive) ‘Operation Sindoor’ for political gains ahead of upcoming elections (in various states).”