Nationwide Vigils Held for Hindus Slaughtered in Pahalgam, Demanding Justice and Accountability

Nationwide Vigils for Pahalgam Victims

On April 22, 2025, tragedy struck when twenty-five Hindu men were brutally murdered in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, by Islamist militants linked to The Resistance Front (TRF), an arm of the Pakistan-based terrorist organization, Lashkar-e-Taiba. This horrific act of violence served as a catalyst for a wave of vigils organized by various Hindu groups across the United States, uniting thousands in solidarity for the victims and advocating against religious persecution.

Various Hindu organizations, including HinduPACT, Americans for Hindus (A4H), and the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA), converged to hold a series of vigils in major cities, including New York City and Washington, D.C. The loss felt by the Hindu community was palpable as candlelight vigils illuminated the night, accompanied by prayers and moments of silence for the slain men. Protesters carried signs proclaiming messages such as, "Justice for Pahalgam," and "Stop State-Sponsored Islamist Terrorism," emphasizing that these killings transcended regional or national politics and were a matter of human rights and dignity.

During the remembrances, participants recounted the horrific circumstances of the massacre. Eyewitnesses recounted how the terrorists methodically verified the religious identity of the tourists, forcing them to recite Islamic prayers and stripping them to confirm they were not circumcised before mercilessly executing them in front of their families. This brutal act serves as a grim reminder of the ongoing violence faced by the Hindu community in Kashmir and beyond, echoing historical atrocities like the 1990 ethnic cleansing of Kashmiri Hindus and various other massacres.

Dr. Ajay Shah, the founder of HinduPACT, reiterated the community's demand for justice and recognition: "Religious freedom must apply to Hindus too. The victims of Pahalgam are not statistics; they are our brothers and sisters. We will remember and will demand justice." His message was echoed by Shyam Tiwari from VHPA, who called for global leaders to unite in the fight against Islamist terrorism, which threatens humanity at large.

The response from the Hindu community is not just about mourning those lost, but also about a determined call to action. A series of demands have emerged, calling for recognition of the Pahalgam massacre as a religiously motivated terrorist act, an official declaration of Pakistan as a State Sponsor of Terrorism by the U.S., and a United Nations-led inquiry into systemic anti-Hindu violence in Pakistan and Bangladesh. Furthermore, advocates have urged media outlets to accurately represent such incidents, rather than downplaying them as actions of militants or rebels.

The sentiments expressed at these vigils unify those who have long felt the impact of anti-Hindu sentiment worldwide. CoHNA president Nikunj Trivedi poignantly stated, "Pahalgam was not an isolated incident, but part of a broader pattern of religiously driven hate against Hindus." The remarks remind the greater public of the historical and ongoing struggle faced by many in the Hindu community, experiencing emotional and cultural traumas from violence steeped in religious intolerance.

As these vigils continue across various locations in the U.S., it is clear that the collective grief of this tragedy has galvanized an enduring movement advocating for the rights and safety of Hindus everywhere. Uphaar Kotru from the Kashmiri Overseas Organization expressed the necessity of addressing these wounds head-on: "Each attack reopens wounds we've never had the chance to heal. Our pain has been ignored for too long."

In an era marked by religious violence and intolerance, the voices calling for justice and unity will continue to echo. The strength of this movement might not only illuminate the plight of Hindus globally but also compel world leaders to take decisive action against the forces that foster such hatred. As this community rallies together, their commitment to ensuring that these tragedies do not remain overlooked or forgotten remains stronger than ever.