MASTER'S STRIKE

With Operation Sindoor, the Modi government has earned both public and political support. But a prolonged conflict would prove detrimental

- BY PRATUL SHARMA

The poignant image of a newly-married Himanshi Narwal sitting beside the body of her husband Lieu-tenant Vinay Narwal of the Indian Navy in Pahalgham had become a haunting symbol of the April 22 terror attack. There were demands for a swift and decisive action in response to the brutal attack.

The response did come, but it went beyond missiles and fighter jets. The military operation was given a name rich in cultural and emotion-al symbolism: Operation Sindoor. 'Sindoor,' the Hindi word for vermil-ion that symbolises the marital status of a Hindu woman, was reportedly chosen by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The messaging was not just for the perpetrators, but also for the victims and the nation. Unlike past military operations with technical or valorous names, such as Vijay, Parakram, Trident or Balakot (codenamed Operation Bandar), Opera-tion Sindoor evoked themes of loss, justice and national resolve.

Himanshi, who drew both sym-pathy for her loss and later online criticism for urging peace and cau-tioning against communal backlash, welcomed the military response. "My husband was in the defence forces. He wanted to keep peace and protect innocent lives," she said. "He wanted to make sure that there was no hatred and terror in this country. This operation signifies his spirit, that hate and terror will not be tolerated by the Indian government."