Jammu, July 29, 2025: In a heartfelt gesture, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has pledged to adopt 22 children from Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district who lost their parents during Pakistani shelling in the aftermath of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.

The announcement was made by J&K Congress chief Tariq Hamid Karra, who confirmed that Rahul Gandhi will take full responsibility for the children's educational expenses until they graduate. The first instalment of financial assistance is set to be released on Wednesday, enabling the affected children to continue their studies without interruption.

“These children have lost everything. It’s our moral responsibility to ensure their future is not lost too,” said Karra. “Rahul Gandhi will personally support them until they complete their education.”

A Promise Made in Poonch
Rahul Gandhi had visited Poonch in May 2025, shortly after intense cross-border shelling devastated parts of the district. During that visit, he interacted with several families affected by the violence and instructed local Congress leaders to prepare a verified list of children who had lost either both parents or the family’s sole breadwinner.

Following a detailed survey and cross-checking of government records, 22 children were identified as eligible for long-term support. Many of them come from areas where shelling had damaged homes, schools, and places of worship.

Among the sites visited by Gandhi was Christ Public School, where he met students, including 12-year-old twins Urba Fatima and Zain Ali, who lost their parents in the incident. “I feel very proud of you,” Gandhi told the children. “You miss your friends and feel scared, but don’t worry — things will get better. The best way to respond is to study hard, play hard, and make new friends.”

Poonch Among the Worst-Hit Areas
Poonch town was one of the worst-affected regions during the shelling. A strike on the Zia ul Aloom religious school left several children injured. Among the victims was Vihaan Bhargav, a young boy killed by shrapnel while trying to flee with his family.

The violence left behind a deep sense of trauma among the children and residents of the region. With the government focusing on border security and rehabilitation efforts, Rahul Gandhi’s initiative stands out as a personal and compassionate intervention.

Political, Yet Deeply Human
While the gesture comes in a politically charged environment, leaders across party lines have praised the move for its humanitarian value. Congress workers have also begun working with local NGOs to ensure the smooth disbursal of funds and educational support.

The aid will cover school fees, books, uniforms, and other basic needs, helping the children not just survive but thrive in the years ahead.

This act of adoption goes beyond politics — it offers a message of hope, healing, and solidarity in a region long scarred by violence.