Jal Shakti Minister Refuses To Accept 'Welcome' Bouquets 'Till There Is Revenge' For Pahalgam Attack
Union Jal Shakti Minister Paatil has denied to accept any 'welcome' bouquets till India takes revenge for Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives on April 22.
Union Jal Shakti minister CR Paatil on Saturday addressed a business event in Gujarat's Surat where he refused to accept a bouquet or any other symbol of welcome, saying that he would not do so until adequate retribution for the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives, is taken.
Paatil attended the Global Investor Conference and delivered a speech after his arrival. After his speech, the organisers announced that he would be welcomed with a bouquet. To this, Paatil immediately conveyed to a person conducting the stage that he would not accept any such honour, news agency ANI reported.
"No welcome, till there is revenge," he said in Gujarati. When organisers tried to honour him with a momento, he declined to accept that as well.
A person on the stage then announced that the Union minister has decided that "he will not be welcomed by a bouquet or a memento till the Pahalgam terror attack is avenged." "So we are standing here only for the group photo," he added. People lauded his gesture as Patil greeted them with folded hands from the stage, the report said.
Earlier, Paatil had said that the government will ensure not even a single drop of water from the Indus River reaches Pakistan.
India Bans Ports, Imports And Mails
India has affirmed its national resolve to crush terrorism, saying that the terrorists responsible for the attack and the conspirators behind it will face severe punishment. In response to the deadly attack, the government announced a raft of measures, including suspending the Indus Water Treaty, banning import of all goods, prohibiting Pakistan vessels from visiting any Indian ports, stopping exchange of mail and parcels, and closing its airspace to Pakistani aricraft among others.
These steps were taken after the briefing to the Cabinet Committee on Security meeting conducted a day after the Pahalgam attack brought out cross-border linkages.
Meanwhile, the government has also given the armed forces complete operational freedom to decide on the mode, targets, and timing of India's response. The opposition parties have expressed their full support for any action taken by the government against the perpetrators of the Pahalgam terror attack.
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