Understanding the Significance of India’s 'Operation Sindoor'

Himanshi Narwal initially became a poignant symbol of loss and later faced hostility.

In the aftermath of a terrorist attack in Kashmir that claimed 26 lives, an image of Ms. Narwal sitting beside her deceased husband went viral. This photograph encapsulated the human tragedy that influenced India’s decision to name its retaliatory military action 'Operation Sindoor.'

Sindoor, a vermilion powder traditionally worn by Hindu married women along the hair parting or forehead, is removed upon widowhood. The April 22 attack targeted Hindu men, leaving many women widowed. However, it was Ms. Narwal’s image that garnered widespread attention, symbolizing the profound grief experienced.

By naming the military response 'Operation Sindoor,' the Indian government conveyed its commitment to avenge the widows affected by the attack. The Indian Army’s social media announcement featured a stark graphic of a jar of spilled sindoor, visually evoking spilled blood.

The operation’s title also resonates with Hindu nationalist groups advocating traditional gender roles, signaling that the government is responsive to their calls for retribution.

Nevertheless, some feminist voices have challenged the appropriation of sindoor in this context.

V. Geetha, a feminist historian specializing in gender, caste, and class, commented that Hindu nationalism largely reflects a male-centric perspective. She noted, "Women are portrayed either as figures to be protected or as maternal symbols urging men to demonstrate valor."

The attack, which authorities attribute to Pakistan though denied by Islamabad, killed 26 people, mostly tourists, near Pahalgam in Muslim-majority Kashmir.

Local reports indicate that among the 25 tourists killed, all were Hindu men. Women and children were reportedly spared, with survivors recounting that the attackers explicitly told them they were spared to relay the incident to their government.

During the chaos, the image of Ms. Narwal sitting beside her fallen husband—her wrists adorned with bridal bangles—spread widely, symbolizing the shock and sorrow following the attack, which occurred as civilians enjoyed leisure activities.

Nine days after the attack, while still mourning her husband Vinay Narwal, a naval officer she had been married to for less than a week, she expressed a desire for peace and justice, urging that the perpetrators be held accountable.

Ms. Narwal also emphasized she did not wish for hostility against Muslims or Kashmiris. However, this stance drew backlash from right-wing Hindu online groups demanding retribution against Muslims.

Ms. Geetha observed that Ms. Narwal ceased to be a symbolic figure once she voiced her personal views, stating, "Once a woman speaks, she often faces criticism because she stops being a symbol and becomes an individual with her own thoughts."