Synopsis
The community of Jaipur mourns the tragic loss of Neeraj Udhwani, a victim of terrorism in Pahalgam, as his final rites are held. Family, friends, and political leaders pay their respects amidst calls for justice and stronger anti-terrorism measures.Key Takeaways
- Neeraj Udhwani was tragically killed by terrorists in Pahalgam.
- His final rites were attended by many political leaders.
- Emotional scenes unfolded at the cremation as family members grieved.
- A significant response from the government followed the attack.
- 26 tourists were killed in the Pahalgam incident.
Jaipur, April 24 (NationPress) The final rites of 33-year-old Neeraj Udhwani, who lost his life to terrorist violence in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, were conducted on Thursday at Mokshadham crematorium in Jaipur.
His elder brother, Kishore Udhwani, ignited the funeral pyre amidst a somber gathering of family, friends, and significant police presence.
It was profoundly moving to witness Neeraj’s wife, Ayushi, standing by his side with hands folded, her tears a testament to her anguish. Despite the efforts of family members to console her, she remained overwhelmed with sorrow.
Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma visited Neeraj’s home at Forest View Apartment in Model Town (Malviya Nagar) to pay his condolences. The CM met Neeraj’s mother, Jyoti, who was visibly shaken upon his arrival.
The Chief Minister offered comfort, gently wiping her tears and sharing words of solace. Numerous senior figures, including Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, and former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, were also in attendance.
Tensions arose when a woman present expressed frustration over the government’s response, saying, “This is the failure of your government. What is the purpose of deploying security now?” Minister Shekhawat responded silently, with folded hands.
Before beginning the final journey, the procession started from Neeraj’s residence, where Ayushi, heartbroken, refused to part from her husband. Family members had to gently guide her away as preparations for cremation were made.
Neeraj, a Chartered Accountant in Dubai, had traveled to Kashmir with Ayushi after attending a wedding in Shimla. Tragically, on April 22, he was shot by terrorists in front of his wife. Ayushi immediately notified Neeraj’s elder brother, Kishore, who hurried to Kashmir from Jaipur with his wife, Shubhi.
State Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore condemned the attack, stating: “What occurred in Pahalgam, where individuals were reportedly killed after being questioned about their religion, is not only an assault on individuals but on the essential fabric of humanity. These cowardly acts seek to disrupt peace by targeting the innocent and defenseless.”
A significant number of political leaders attended Neeraj's residence, including Deputy CM Diya Kumari, Premchand Bairwa, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Joraram Kumawat, BJP State President Madan Rathore, Leader of Opposition Tikaram Julie, and state Congress Chief Govind Singh Dotasra, among others.
Floral tributes were laid at Neeraj’s photograph, as the city joined the family in mourning. As Jaipur mourns the loss of a young life, the nation stands united in its condemnation of this heinous act, demanding justice and stronger measures against terrorism, as voiced by the locals.
It is important to note that 26 tourists lost their lives at the hands of terrorists in Pahalgam. Following the attack, the Government of India made significant decisions, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), which had endured through four wars, decades of cross-border terrorism from Pakistan, and a long history of hostility between the two nations. This marked the first suspension by New Delhi, occurring a day after the attack on tourists in Pahalgam, where Pakistani terrorists claimed the lives of 26 people.
