From Rajiv’s Loss to Sindoor’s Win: May 21st Marks India’s Anti-Terror Resolve

Every 12 months on May 21, India pauses to watch National Anti-Terrorism Day, a solemn reminder of the scars terrorism has left on our country. This day isn’t on the subject of remembering the tragic assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1991 by way of a suicide bomber from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). It’s about renewing our get to the bottom of to face united in opposition to the threat of terrorism, which threatens the peace and development we cling pricey. As we mark nowadays in 2025, India’s fresh triumph in Operation Sindoor shines as an impressive instance of ways our country has discovered to struggle again—exhausting, sensible, and united—appearing the arena what it manner to take a zero-tolerance stand in opposition to terror.

Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination was once a take-heed call for India. At simply 40, he was once a pace-setter who dreamed of a contemporary, non violent India. His brutal killing confirmed us that terrorism respects no limitations, no goals, no lives. Since 1992, National Anti-Terrorism Day has been a time to replicate in this loss and to teach our folks concerning the want to keep vigilant. But in 2025, nowadays carries further weight. Operation Sindoor, India’s daring reaction to the horrific Pahalgam terror assault on April 22, 2025, the place 26 blameless lives had been snuffed out, has redefined how we take on terrorism. It’s no longer on the subject of mourning anymore—it’s about motion, precision, and sending a message that India is not going to bow down.

Operation Sindoor was once no abnormal army operation. It was once a masterclass in technique and get to the bottom of. After the Pahalgam assault, the place terrorists centered civilians in accordance with their faith, India didn’t simply take a seat again. The Indian Armed Forces, with the Army, Air Force, and Navy operating like a well-oiled device, introduced a punishing 88-hour marketing campaign. They struck 9 terror camps deep inside of Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, wiping out over 100 terrorists and destroying 15 airbases. The Indian Air Force used suave ways, like dummy plane to idiot Pakistan’s Chinese-made defenses, appearing the arena that India’s army isn’t simply sturdy—it’s sensible. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh known as it “just a trailer,” caution that India’s struggle in opposition to terror is some distance from over. This wasn’t only a strike; it was once a remark: mess with India, and also you’ll pay a heavy worth.

What makes Operation Sindoor stand out is how India sponsored its army would possibly with diplomatic muscle. The govt didn’t forestall at destroying terror camps. It despatched seven all-party delegations, with 59 MPs from throughout political traces, to 32 international locations, together with large gamers just like the UN Security Council individuals and the European Union. Leaders like Shashi Tharoor and Supriya Sule carried India’s message of 0 tolerance to world capitals, exposing Pakistan’s position in sponsoring terrorism. This wasn’t on the subject of preventing at the floor—it was once about successful the narrative warfare. As mavens like Brahma Chellaney identified, Operation Sindoor set a “global benchmark” in tackling terrorism, just like the USA operation that took out Osama bin Laden. India confirmed the arena that we will hit exhausting, deep, and nonetheless purpose for peace.

The luck of Operation Sindoor lies in its cohesion. From PM Narendra Modi, who named the operation after the sacred sindoor symbolizing the lives misplaced in Pahalgam, to the warriors who achieved precision moves, to the MPs who took India’s case world—everybody got here in combination. Even opposition leaders like Congress’s Sandeep Dikshit and Shiv Sena’s Priyanka Chaturvedi praised the military, proving that in the case of preventing terror, India speaks with one voice. This cohesion is what National Anti-Terrorism Day is all about. It reminds us that terrorism flourishes on department, however India’s power lies in status in combination—Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian, or every other religion.

Operation Sindoor additionally despatched a transparent message to Pakistan: your days of the use of terrorism as a device are numbered. Home Minister Amit Shah mentioned Pakistan is “scared” after India’s moves, and for just right explanation why. By focused on terror hubs like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, India didn’t simply hit their infrastructure—it uncovered their lies to the arena. The ceasefire settlement on May 10, the place each side agreed to forestall firing, presentations that India’s movements pressured Pakistan to reconsider its technique. But as Rajnath Singh warned, India’s staring at. Any misstep, and we’re able to hit again more difficult.

As we apply National Anti-Terrorism Day in 2025, Operation Sindoor is a beacon of hope and power. It tells each and every Indian that we’re no longer helpless in opposition to terrorism. Our military, our leaders, and our folks have proven that we will struggle again and win. But it’s additionally a reminder to stick alert. Terrorism is a world drawback, and India’s struggle is some distance from over. We will have to stay supporting our forces, keep united throughout political and non secular traces, and stay telling the arena that we received’t tolerate terror. Operation Sindoor isn’t only a victory—it’s a promise that India will stay preventing till terrorism is burnt up, no longer simply from our soil however from the arena.

On this May 21, let’s honor Rajiv Gandhi’s reminiscence by way of recommitting to his dream of a calm India. Let’s salute our courageous infantrymen who made Operation Sindoor a luck. And let’s inform the arena, loud and transparent, that India’s struggle in opposition to terrorism is unstoppable. Because when India stands united, no drive—no longer even terror—can wreck us.

(Girish Linganna is a Defence and Aerospace Analyst based totally out of Bengaluru. He could also be the Director of ADD Engineering Components, India, Pvt. Ltd, a subsidiary of ADD Engineering GmbH, Germany. The perspectives expressed on this article are of the writer most effective.)