Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MP Supriya Sule has appealed to Maharashtra’s Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, urging the state government to honor the families of the victims who lost their lives in the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025. The attack, which claimed 26 lives, left six residents of Maharashtra dead. Sule’s letter to the Chief Minister proposes two key measures: offering a government job to a family member from each of the affected households and conferring the prestigious Nagrik Shaurya Puraskar (Civil Gallantry Award) on the survivors.
Details of the Pahalgam Terror Attack and the Victims
The victims from Maharashtra include Atul Shrikant Mone, Hemant Suhas Joshi, Sanjay Laxman Lele from Dombivli; Kaustubh Ganbote, Santosh Jagdale from Pune; and Dilip Desale from Panvel, Navi Mumbai. These individuals were among the 26 people killed during the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag district, which targeted tourists in the Baisaran meadow area of Pahalgam.
Supriya Sule’s Request for Recognition and Support
In her letter, Supriya Sule highlighted the bravery of the survivors who witnessed the killings of their loved ones but displayed extraordinary courage. “While terrorists were firing at the men, other family members faced the horrific situation with immense courage. Witnessing loved ones being killed before their eyes and still showing such resilience is extraordinary,” Sule wrote.
She emphasized that while no compensation could replace the loss, offering a government job to a family member of each victim, based on their qualifications, could provide crucial support. Furthermore, Sule requested that the survivors of the attack be honored with the Nagrik Shaurya Puraskar on Maharashtra Day, May 1, 2025, to recognize their incredible courage.
“Also, nothing can compensate for what these families lost in this incident, but still, one person from this family should be taken into government service according to educational qualifications. Late Santosh Jagdale’s daughter Asawari is highly educated and it is possible to give her government services according to her educational qualifications. On the same lines, one person from the family of other victims can be admitted to government service according to educational qualifications,” she wrote.
Sule said that the government should give these “brave families” the confidence that the people of Maharashtra will always be with them through this action.
Importance of the Civil Gallantry Award
The Nagrik Shaurya Puraskar, or Civil Gallantry Award, is one of the highest honors conferred by the Maharashtra government to civilians who display extraordinary bravery in the face of adversity. By recommending this award, Supriya Sule aims to ensure that the survivors receive recognition for their valiant efforts during such a traumatic event.
Conclusion: Honoring Resilience in the Face of Terror
Supriya Sule’s appeal serves as an important reminder of the immense resilience displayed by the families of the Pahalgam terror attack victims. As Maharashtra prepares for Maharashtra Day on May 1, the proposal to honor the survivors with the Civil Gallantry Award and offer jobs to the families underscores the state’s commitment to standing by those who have suffered the most. It is a step towards recognizing their sacrifices and ensuring that they receive the support they deserve in the aftermath of such a tragic event.
