Berkeley, CA— A large number of Indian Americans gathered on April 23 at the University of California, Berkeley, to mourn the lives lost in the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack. The candlelight vigil honored the 26 victims—most of them Hindus—and created a space for solidarity, empathy, and reflection. The attack has shaken the Hindu American community, especially young Kashmiri Hindus in the U.S. who still carry deep scars of past displacement and trauma.
Key Facts:
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The vigil was held on April 23 at UC Berkeley with strong participation from the Indian American community.
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The April 22 attack in Pahalgam resulted in 26 deaths and 17 injuries, with victims reportedly targeted for their Hindu identity.
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Indian American organizations, including CoHNA, FIIDS, and KOA, have condemned the attack and are organizing policy outreach in Washington, D.C.
The vigil at UC Berkeley came together within hours of the attack. Organized by Hindu Yuva USA and the Youth Action Network of the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA), it offered an outlet for grief and resilience.
Organizers stated the victims were killed in a “religiously motivated” attack, with their Hindu identity confirmed before being targeted.
Across the country in Washington, D.C., Indian American advocacy groups are preparing for a key policy briefing titled "Pakistan's Proxy War Against Hindus – Global Implications" on May 5.
Hosted at the Rayburn House Office Building, the session aims to brief U.S. lawmakers, think tanks, and policy leaders on the broader consequences of religiously targeted terrorism in South Asia.
International condemnation has poured in. U.S. President Donald Trump said, “The United States stands strong with India against terrorism.” France’s President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also expressed solidarity with the victims and the people of India, joining global calls for justice and accountability.
“We salute these brave kids and the Berkeley chapters of CoHNA Youth Action Network and Hindu Yuva for this moving event that came together spontaneously within hours of news of the incident,” said CoHNA in a statement.
The vigil at UC Berkeley and upcoming advocacy in D.C. signal growing momentum within the Indian American community to speak out against terrorism and protect vulnerable voices.
The tragedy has united the diaspora not just in grief, but in purpose—calling for dignity, justice, and recognition for victims of religious violence.
Asia91 strongly condemned the terrorist attack, criticizing those who referred to it as a "militant" strike. "Let’s be clear—this was terrorism," the statement read. "We stand with the families of the victims and offer our prayers to all those affected, including the entire India/Bharat region, the Hindu diaspora, and any non-Hindu communities impacted by this horrific incident."
Do You Know?
The Resistance Front (TRF), which claimed responsibility for the attack, is widely believed to be a proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba, the Pakistan-based group behind the 2008 Mumbai attacks. TRF has been linked to several similar attacks in Jammu and Kashmir in recent years. (Source: Times of India)
Key Terms:
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Pahalgam: A scenic town in Jammu and Kashmir, India, popular with tourists and pilgrims.
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Hindu Yuva USA: A student organization that promotes Hindu culture and values among Indian American youth.
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CoHNA (Coalition of Hindus of North America): An advocacy group working to amplify Hindu American concerns across the U.S.
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Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT): A designated terrorist group based in Pakistan responsible for attacks on Indian civilians.
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The Resistance Front (TRF): A terrorist outfit operating in Kashmir, often described as a front for LeT.