Hundreds of Indian Americans gather at Consulate of Pakistan in Chicago to protest Kashmir terror attack

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Protesters carry placards condemning the terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir that took place April 22, 2025. ALL PHOTOS: Courtesy organizers.

Chicago, IL  – On Monday April 28,2025, hundreds of Indian Americans staged a protest outside the Consulate General of Pakistan on Michigan Avenue, to condemn the terror attack in Kashmir which killed 26 civilians, tourists on a holiday. The Indian government has maintained there is a connection between the perpetrators of the brutal killings and terrorist groups in Pakistan.

Some of the leading organizers and participants in the protest April 28, before the Pakistani Consulate in Chicago, to condemn the terror attack in Kashmir.

The protest before the Pakistani Consulate was organized by concerned members of the Indian diaspora, and it demanded “global recognition and action against radical Islamic terrorism emanating from Pakistan.”

The attack in Pahalgam—carried out by gunmen allegedly affiliated with The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the notorious terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba. In a chilling act of religious profiling, victims were reportedly asked their names to confirm their faith before being executed—an act that has horrified people across the globe,” organizers noted.

Protesters outside the building which houses the Pakistani Consulate in Chicago, registering their condemnation of the April 22 terror attack in Kashmir.
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“We are not here as Hindus, Christians, Muslims, or Sikhs. We are here as human beings who refuse to tolerate the slaughter of the innocent in the name of faith,” said a spokesperson at the rally. “This was not just an attack on Indian lives—it was an attack on pluralism, peace, and the very idea of humanity.”

Among the 700+ attendees, there were individuals of all ages and backgrounds—students, professionals, seniors, and even members of the Muslim community—who stood shoulder to shoulder in condemnation. One protester posed a provocative question: “Imagine if the religious identities were reversed. Would the world stay this silent?”

Among the placards held by protesters was one saying, “Stop Funding Terror With Your Wallets” and another with the words, “If names are being asked before killing, maybe we should ask names before shopping.” Protesters urged fellow Indians to be mindful of how their consumer choices might inadvertently support countries or ideologies that fund terrorism. “Do not pay money to those who are killing your people, your dharma, your nation,” echoed a community leader.

Protesters outside the building which houses the Pakistani Consulate in Chicago, registering their condemnation of the April 22 terror attack in Kashmir.

The protesters called upon the U.S. government and international bodies to formally recognize Pakistan as an alleged state sponsor of terrorism. They also asked for the full enforcement of sanctions against known terror outfits and individuals operating from Pakistani soil.

The protest follows increased diplomatic tension between India and Pakistan, with India considering the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty—a major bilateral agreement brokered by the World Bank in 1960. India holds Pakistan responsible not only for harboring terrorists but also for stoking anti-Hindu sentiment.

The organizers emphasized that this movement is not about division, but about standing united against hate. “This could happen anywhere—to anyone,” said one protester. “It’s not about Hindus or Muslims. It’s about stopping those who use religion to kill, divide, and terrorize.”

Organizers vowed to continue raising awareness, lobbying policymakers, and standing in remembrance of the victims of the Pahalgam attack.

“We stand for peace, for justice, and for the right of every human being to live without fear,” they said.