Washington, D.C.: In response to the Pahalgam attack, Hindus for Human Rights, an advocacy group of Indian-origin Hindus, called on Thursday for peace, accountability, and protection of civil liberties.
The group said it was heartbroken over the deaths of 28 people in the terrorist attack at Pahalgam.
“Many in our Hindu, Kashmiri, and Indian communities have been shaken by this violence, and we join them in praying for the 28 souls who have been lost,” the statement read.
In a press release issued by David Dasharath Kalal, Communications Director of Hindus for Human Rights, the group urged the community to lean into Hindu teachings.
It called on people to reject any calls for retaliation against Pakistan or Muslim neighbors.
“Just as we are connected in our shared divinity, we must also share each other’s pain. In moments like these, history shows us how quickly grief can be manipulated into hatred. We urge our communities to reject calls for retaliation, whether aimed at Pakistan or our Muslim neighbors. This is a moment of pain for everyone in Kashmir and across India, and we must recognize our shared humanity instead of feeding into a cycle of revenge and division that will not result in justice or healing,” it said.
The statement continued:
“As we mourn, we must also remain attentive to the broader realities on the ground in Kashmir. Nothing can justify the violence that unfolded in Pahalgam, but we must understand the conditions that perpetuate it. The brutal truth is that this horrific attack, as unjustified as it may be, could not have occurred in a vacuum.”
The statement further said:
“The Indian government projects an image of ‘normalcy’ in Kashmir after it stole Kashmiris’ right to self-determination by revoking Article 370 in 2019. In reality, everyday Kashmiris live under a brutal police state. The Indian military has carried out atrocities for decades with impunity. Kashmiris have long deserved answers for the countless killed and disappeared, as well as reparations for the violence they are subjected to every single day. Kashmir remains a region filled with grief, unresolved injustices, and generational trauma. These can only be addressed through open dialogue, justice, and dignity for all.”
The statement concluded:
“The way forward — for Kashmiris and Indians, Hindus and Muslims — is not to devolve into a cycle of vengeance. Violence begets violence, and the only way to break this pattern is through peace and democracy. Now, more than ever, the voices calling for truth, peace, and reconciliation must be heard and uplifted. The better angels of our nature must prevail. While we mourn those who have died, may we also forge ahead for a freer, more peaceful Kashmir and India.”
