PM Modi expected to meet kin of Pahalgam attack victim Shubham Dwivedi during Kanpur visit
PM Modi expected to meet kin of Pahalgam attack victim Shubham Dwivedi during Kanpur visit (Picture credit: ANI)
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to meet the family of Shubham Dwivedi, the 31-year-old businessman from Kanpur who was among those killed in the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, during his scheduled visit to the city on May 30.
As per ANI, the meeting comes after a request was made to Kanpur MP Ramesh Awasthi, who promptly wrote to the Prime Minister's Office seeking time for the grieving family. 'We requested our Honourable Parliamentarian, Ramesh Awasthi, that kindly allow us to meet PM Modi on his scheduled visit to Kanpur… Awasthi not only assured us of his full support but also immediately wrote a letter to the Prime Minister,' a family member said, adding that news of a likely meeting brought them 'a great sense of relief and hope.
'
Shubham, who had recently married on February 12, was visiting Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam with his wife and sister-in-law when terrorists opened fire on unarmed tourists. He was shot in the head and died on the spot.
A total of 26 people, including one Nepali national, were killed in the attack.
Since his death, Shubham's family has been appealing to the government for him to be recognised as a martyr. 'Our son was tragically killed in a terrorist attack… targeted simply for being a Hindu,' a family member was quoted as saying by ANI.
'We sincerely hope that, during his visit, the Prime Minister will announce that Shubham will be officially honoured as a martyr.'
His widow, Aishanya Dwivedi, echoed the same hope. 'I only have one hope – that Shubham is given the status of a martyr. It would mean everything to me if, on that day, my husband is honoured as a martyr,' she said.
The family was earlier assured by Kanpur MP Ramesh Awasthi that their appeal had been conveyed to the Prime Minister.
According to PTI, Awasthi's letter to the PMO also conveyed the family's gratitude for '
Operation Sindoor
,' saying it brought peace to Shubham's soul. Launched on May 7, Operation Sindoor was India's military response to the Pahalgam attack, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
The operation led to retaliatory Pakistani action, which was met with a strong Indian counteroffensive before both sides reached an understanding to cease military actions.
Shubham was cremated with full state honours in his native village on April 24, an event attended by Uttar Pradesh ministers Yogendra Upadhyay and Rakesh Sachan. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also visited the family, assuring them of every possible support.
On April 30, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi met the Dwivedi family and backed their demand for martyr status for Shubham.
While there is no official confirmation yet of the PM's meeting, family members remain hopeful. 'We haven't received any official confirmation, but media reports suggest that the Honourable Prime Minister will visit Kanpur on May 30 and meet our family,' a relative said. 'We hope he will hear our request to recognise Shubham as a martyr.'
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