Holding the United States responsible for the death of sailor Aditya Sharma, his uncle Sanjeev Lakhanpal demanded that the Government of India take up the issue with the US administration to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Speaking to The Tribune after performing the last rites of Aditya at the crematorium in Hadeta Khud near Bhallu (Simlan-Da-Gran) in the Galore area on Thursday, Sanjeev said, “America has murdered our son. The Government of India must initiate a dialogue with the US on such killings.”
Aditya Sharma was killed in a US military strike on June 10 while serving aboard the merchant vessel MT Stebello in the Strait of Hormuz. His mortal remains were brought back to India and consigned to flames in the presence of grieving family members and residents.
Recalling his last interaction with Aditya, Sanjeev said he was the last member of the family to see him before he departed from Delhi to join the ship in Oman. Expressing disappointment over the US response, he said America should have acknowledged its mistake. “Their silence reflects arrogance. While they speak of democracy, their actions appear dictatorial,” he remarked.
At the same time, he expressed gratitude to the Indian government for facilitating the return of Aditya’s mortal remains. Remembering his nephew, Sanjeev described him as a disciplined, focused and affectionate young man who was on the verge of being promoted from deck cadet to first officer.
