13 Hindu organizations hold vigils across US condemning Kashmir terror attack, honoring victims

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Indian American Hindus belonging to numerous organizations, held demonstrations to honor the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir that killed 26 Indians. Organizers said their core demand from US lawmakers was to recognize Pahalgam as a religiously motivated terrorist act, and to designate Pakistan as a state sponsor of terrorism.

“… the united Hindu groups, comprising thirteen organizations, organized peaceful vigils across major U.S. cities on April 26 and April 27, 2025,” a press release from organizers said.

The groups which came together included Americans for Hindus (A4H), Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA), Federation of Indians and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS), Global Hindu Temple Network (GHTN), Global Hindu Heritage Foundation (GHHF), Kashmiri Overseas Association (KOA), HinduPACT, Hindu American Foundation (HAF), Hindu Mandir Empowerment Council (HMEC), Hindu Swaymasevak Sangh (HSS), HinduDvesha, The Avanti Foundation, Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHPA), and American Hindu Federation (AHF), and Voice of Hindus.

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The latest attack was part of a history of violence on Hindus in Kashmir, the organizers said.

The rallies and vigils took were held across the US in Washington, DC; New York City; Edison, NJ; Houston, TX;  Dallas, TX; San Francisco, CA; Fremont, CA; San Jose, CA; Sacramento, CA; Ridgewood, NJ; Parsippany, NJ; Long Island, NY; Houston, TX; Newington, CT; Wellington, CT; Columbus, OH; Chicago, IL; Los Angeles, CA; Seattle, WA; Las Vegas, NV; and University of California, Berkeley.

Organizers said more rallies are planned for the coming days – a May 1 vigil in Washington, DC, and on Monday, May 5th, a vigil protest will take place at the Pakistan Consulate in Los Angeles, CA.

The Hindu Mandir Empowerment Council (HMEC) has organized a virtual prayer meeting on May 3, where temples across the USA are expected to participate, the press release said.

At the various protests, participants lit candles, recited prayers, and observed a minute of silence for the victims. They also carried signs that read, “Justice for Pahalgam,” “Stop State-Sponsored Islamist Terror,” and “Stop Killing Hindus.”

“Our call is simple,” Dr. Ajay Shah, founder of HinduPACT is quoted saying, “Religious freedom must apply to Hindus too. Human dignity must include Hindu lives too. The victims of Pahalgam are not statistics; they are our brothers and sisters. We will remember and will demand justice. Pakistan-sponsored drip-drip genocide of Hindus must stop.”

“We call upon the world leaders to unitedly fight Islamist terrorism looming over humanity at large and ensure its total destruction,” said Shyam Tiwari, Chief spokesperson for   VHPA, calling for decisive action.

CoHNA president Nikunj Trivedi said, “We call upon leaders around the world to fight back against this rising wave of Hinduphobia.”

Suhag Shukla, Executive Director of HAF, said “This was a deliberate, brutal assault on innocent people whose only ‘offense’ was being Hindu. Families were hunted, religiously profiled, and murdered in cold blood, making this not just a tragedy for Indians, but a matter of deep concern to all who value religious freedom and human dignity.”

Dr. Romesh Japra, Founder and President of Americans for Hindus (A4H), said, “Terrorism will bring down Humanity if not eradicated from the world, and all world leaders must work together to eliminate terrorism as the priority.”

“Tourism cannot whitewash the truth!” stated Uphaar Kotru, President of Kashmiri Overseas Organization. “Each attack reopens wounds we’ve never had the chance to heal. Our pain has been ignored for far too long.”

Other leaders who quoted in the press release included  Mohinder Gulati, president of Global Hindu Temple Network America; Sanjeev Kak of The Avanti Foundation; and Dr. Amit Desai, spokesperson for Voice of Hindus;

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