We have come on a journey of solidarity, empathy and sympathy: Sagarika Ghose on TMC's delegation in Srinagar

ANI May 22, 2025 256 views

A TMC delegation including Sagarika Ghose visited Srinagar to express solidarity with border villages impacted by cross-border shelling. The MPs met National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah and J&K CM Omar Abdullah during their three-day tour. The visit follows India's Operation Sindoor retaliation against Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack. The delegation emphasized the need for relief and rehabilitation in affected areas.

"We have come to tell the people of border villages that they are not alone" – Sagarika Ghose
Srinagar, May 22: TMC MP Sagarika Ghose emphasised that a five-member Trinamool Congress (TMC) delegation of public representatives from Bengal have come to Kashmir on a journey of "solidarity, empathy, and sympathy."

Key Points

1

TMC delegation meets NC chief Farooq Abdullah

2

Focus on relief for shelling-affected villages

3

Visit follows Operation Sindoor retaliation

4

India-Pakistan ceasefire in effect

Sagarika Ghose asserted that the border villages of Jammu and Kashmir have suffered the most, and the delegation has come to tell the people that they are not alone. She stated that the border villages must not be "ignored," and they must get the attention and relief and rehabilitation they deserve.

"We, a five-member delegation of public representatives from Bengal, have come to Kashmir on a journey of solidarity, empathy, and sympathy. The border villages of Jammu and Kashmir have suffered the most... We have come to tell the people of border villages that they are not alone... Our voyage here reflects our commitment to an inclusive India where every citizen's needs are cared for and attended to. The border villages must not be ignored. They must get the attention, the relief, and rehabilitation they deserve", she told reporters in Srinagar.

A five-member delegation consisting of TMC MPs Derek O'Brien, Md Nadimul Haque, Sagarika Ghose, Mamata Bala Thakur, and West Bengal Minister Manas Ranjan Bhunia arrived in Srinagar at the residence of National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah. The delegation also met Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

The delegation will visit Srinagar, Poonch, and Rajouri from 21 May to 23 May to meet people affected by cross-border shelling by Pakistan in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor.

India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 as a decisive military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed. Indian Armed Forces targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, leading to the death of over 100 terrorists affiliated with terror outfits like the Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen.

After the attack, Pakistan retaliated with cross-border shelling across the Line of Control and Jammu and Kashmir as well as attempted drone attacks along the border regions, following which India launched a coordinated attack and damaged radar infrastructure, communication centres and airfields across 11 airbases in Pakistan.

After this, on May 10, an understanding of the cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan was announced.

Reader Comments

R
Rajesh K.
It's good to see political leaders showing solidarity with border communities. But I hope this isn't just political tourism. These areas need long-term solutions - better bunkers, faster compensation for shelling victims, and employment opportunities. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳
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Priya M.
While empathy is important, we must also acknowledge our armed forces' sacrifices. Operation Sindoor showed Pakistan we won't tolerate terrorism. Hope the delegation also meets army families who protect these border villages 24/7. They're the real heroes!
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Amit S.
Why only now? Border villages have suffered for decades. All parties should work together on a permanent rehabilitation policy instead of making visits before elections. Our Kashmiris deserve better than this tokenism.
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Sunita R.
As someone from Rajasthan border areas, I understand the pain of shelling victims. But meetings with Farooq Abdullah won't help - need concrete infrastructure projects. Build schools with bunkers, create local jobs, improve mobile networks. That's real solidarity.
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Vikram J.
Good initiative but timing seems suspicious after Operation Sindoor. Instead of delegations, center and states should jointly allocate special funds for border development. Also, why no mention of PoK refugees? They suffer the most but are always forgotten.
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Neha T.
Solidarity visits are welcome, but what about our soldiers? 👏 The same politicians never visit army bases to thank our jawans. First secure the borders, then talk about rehabilitation. Pakistan won't stop shelling just because of empathy speeches.

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Tags:
TMC Sagarika Ghose Kashmir Farooq Abdullah Operation Sindoor border shelling