The prime minister, who was in Bhopal to mark the 300th birth anniversary year of famed 18th-century queen and regional icon Ahilyabai Holkar, was speaking in the aftermath of ‘Operation Sindoor’ – India’s strikes within terror infrastructure in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Pakistan in retaliation of the terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, in which 26 people, including one Nepal citizen, were shot dead on April 22.

Saturday’s event in Bhopal was steeped in heavy symbolism as over 15,000 women were dressed in bright vermillion-coloured sarees, which stood out as a sea of red as the prime minister spoke about ‘Operation Sindoor’ and the role women played in avenging the Pahalgam terror attacks.

The event also marked the launch of the much-awaited Indore metro, which began its services on Saturday. Modi also inaugurated the Datia and Satna airports.

The BJP government is empowering women and daughters at every level and in every field, he said.

“Friends, India is a country of culture and values. In our tradition, the sindoor (vermillion) is a symbol of woman power. Even Hanuman ji, immersed in devotion to Lord Ram, is depicted wearing sindoor. And today, this sindoor has become a symbol of India’s valour,” Modi said.

He further said: “In Pahalgam, terrorists not only shed the blood of Indians — they attacked our culture. They tried to divide our society. But most of all, the terrorists challenged the women power of India”.

“Yah chunauti aatankwadiyon aur unke akao ke liye kaal ban gai hai. Operation Sindoor aatankwadiyon ke khilaf Bharat ke itihaas ka sabse bada aur safal operation hai. Jahan Pakistan ki sena ne socha tak nahin tha vahan aatanki thikanon ko hamari sena ne mitti mein mila diya. (That challenge has now turned into their doom. ‘Operation Sindoor’ is the largest and most successful operation in India’s history. Our army destroyed terrorist hideouts in areas where even Pakistan’s army couldn’t dare to think),” he said.

The Indian forces “penetrated hundreds of kilometres and wiped them out”, he said.

“‘Operation Sindoor’ has declared loudly that proxy wars through terrorism will no longer be tolerated. We will enter their homes and eliminate them. And anyone who supports terrorists will have to pay a heavy price,” Modi said.

‘Operation Sindoor’ has also become a symbol of the strength of our women power, he said.

“We all know how significant the role of our BSF daughters was in this operation. From Jammu to the borders of Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat, a large number of BSF women stood guard. They responded fiercely to cross-border firing…The first batch of women cadets has graduated from the NDA. Today, daughters are being deployed on frontlines in the Army, Navy, and Air Force…Whether it’s operations against Naxalites or terrorism across the border, our daughters are becoming the shield of India’s security. Today, from the sacred land of Devi Ahilya ji, I once again salute the women power of this nation,” he said.-Agencies