Rahul Gandhi speaks to family of UP sailor killed in US attack, says Congress Govt. abandoned citizens

Congress and LoP leader in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi. | Photo credit: The Hindu

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday (June 17, 2026) spoke to the family members of Shivanand Chaurasiya, a native of Surouli village in Uttar Pradesh’s Deoria district, who was among the three sailors who lost their lives after an attack on an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman near the Strait of Hormuz.

Mr. Gandhi assured the family of all necessary help. “Rahul Gandhi spoke to me and promised to help us, he is writing letters to the authorities to accept our demands as a government contract to the victim’s wife,” said Rampravesh Chaurasiya, brother of the deceased.

A Congress delegation led by former Uttar Pradesh Congress unit president Ajay Kumar Lallu visited the family and arranged an interview between Mr. Gandhi and the family. “Recently, three Indian sailors were tragically killed in the US attack on the Strait of Hormuz. One of the three Indians, Shivanand Chaurasia, was a resident of Surouli village in Deoria district.”

“Today I visited his house and met his family and expressed my condolences and sympathies. Our leader, Rahul Gandhi, also spoke to the bereaved family on phone and assured them that he stands with them in this difficult time. This incident has completely shattered the family. Shivanand Chaurasia took a loan of Rs. Pathak attends the inauguration of a private hospital but does not find time to meet Shivanand Chaurasia’s family.

Mr. Lallu, made several demands, including martyr status for the deceased and financial assistance of ₹ 1 crore. “We demand that late Shivanand Chaurasia ji should be given martyr status. The family members should be given financial assistance of ₹ 1 crore and government jobs. The government should take responsibility for the loan taken by Shivanand Chaurasia ji for his employment,” he demanded, adding that the government had not done enough for the family.

Published – 18 Jun 2026 04:23 IST