Modiji Consoled Us Like Kin: Pahalgam Victim Shubham Dwivedi’s Family On Their Meet With PM

Last Updated:May 30, 2025, 18:05 IST

"When my daughter-in-law and I broke down, Modiji said this fight against terrorism is not over yet. ‘Operation Sindoor’ will continue,” Sanjay Dwivedi said

PM Modi met Shubham Dwivedi's family on Friday. (PTI/File)

In a poignant moment at Kanpur’s Chakeri Airport on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his one-day visit to the city, paid tribute to the courage and sacrifice of Shubham Dwivedi – the young man from Kanpur who was killed in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. Meeting his grieving family, including wife Alshanya and parents Sanjay and Seema Dwivedi, the Prime Minister offered words of solace and assured them that “Operation Sindoor" was not over, and that the government remains committed to eliminating terrorism.

EMOTIONAL MEETING AT KANPUR AIRPORT

Shubham’s wife Alshanya, his father Sanjay Dwivedi, and his mother Seema were present during the interaction. According to family members, the Prime Minister appeared visibly moved by their pain. “When my daughter-in-law and I broke down, Modiji consoled us like one of our own. He said this fight against terrorism is not over yet – ‘Operation Sindoor’ will continue," Sanjay Dwivedi told News18 after the meeting with the PM.

‘I AM A HINDU’: SHUBHAM’S FINAL WORDS

Shubham Dwivedi, who had married just weeks earlier on February 12, was vacationing with his wife and her sister in the scenic Baisaran meadows of Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, when terrorists opened fire on unarmed Hindu tourists. Shubham, according to eyewitness accounts shared with the family, stood in front of the attackers without fear and declared his identity – “I am a Hindu." He was shot point-blank in the head.

“He took the first bullet, but saved many lives," said his father. “His courage was not ordinary – it was heroic. His presence of mind gave others those crucial few seconds to run and survive," his father said.

OPERATION SINDOOR: A FIRM RESPONSE

During his address in Kanpur later in the day, Prime Minister Modi referred to the incident and said, “In the cowardly attack in Pahalgam, our son from Kanpur, Shubham Dwivedi, became a victim of brutality," the PM said. “But the pain and fury of our daughters like Alshanya (Shubham’s wife) has echoed in the form of ‘Operation Sindoor’. The world has seen that fury," the PM further said during his address.

The Prime Minister said that the military operation, launched on 7 May across the Line of Control in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, had devastated terrorist hideouts deep within enemy territory. “We entered their homes, hundreds of miles inside, and destroyed the breeding grounds of terror," he said. “Our army’s valour compelled the Pakistani forces to beg for a ceasefire. But I want to make it clear – the enemy who was begging during Operation Sindoor should not be under any illusion. The operation is not over yet."

CALL FOR MARTYR STATUS?

Since the attack, the family has made only one request to the government – that Shubham be officially recognised as a martyr. However, on his demand, Shubham’s father said that he met the PM just to express his gratitude for ‘Operation Sindoor’. “It was not a suitable time to raise the demand," he said. Initially, the Dwivedi family had raised the demand that Shubham’s sacrifice should be honoured, for the sake of every Indian who believes in dharma and courage.

Alshanya has been inconsolable since the tragedy. In her tearful exchange with the Prime Minister, she too thanked the PM for his visit and said those responsible should be punished.

Shubham was cremated with full state honours on April 24 in his native village, an event attended by Uttar Pradesh cabinet ministers Yogendra Upadhyay and Rakesh Sachan. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath later visited the Dwivedi home personally and promised “every possible support" to the bereaved family.

The attack in Pahalgam claimed 26 lives, including that of a Nepali tourist. The Dwivedis maintain that their son was targeted for his religious identity. “This wasn’t random violence," a family member explained. “He was attacked because of his faith, and he embraced it even in his last breath. That is the spirit of Bharat."

SUPPORT ACROSS PARTY LINES

On April 30, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also met the Dwivedi family and backed their demand to declare Shubham a martyr. For the family, however, their final hope lies with the Prime Minister. “We trust Modiji," Sanjay said. “He has seen pain and understands what it means to lose a son for the country."

Location :

First Published:

News india Modiji Consoled Us Like Kin: Pahalgam Victim Shubham Dwivedi’s Family On Their Meet With PM