Key Points
- Massive protests erupted in over a dozen countries after the Pahalgam terror attack killed 26, mostly Hindu tourists, in Jammu & Kashmir.
- Indian diaspora staged rallies in cities including London, Melbourne, Paris, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, and Washington.
- Protesters demanded global action against Pakistan for allegedly supporting terrorism.
- Candlelight and silent marches held to honor victims; calls for justice and solidarity echoed worldwide.
- Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated, with diplomatic and military repercussions.
New Delhi: The brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, has sparked an unprecedented wave of anger and solidarity among Indians worldwide. The attack, which claimed the lives of 26 people-mostly Hindu tourists and a local Muslim pony operator-has been described as the deadliest assault on civilians in the region since the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
In response, the Indian diaspora has organized large-scale protests across major cities around the globe. Demonstrations took place in London, Melbourne, Copenhagen, Kathmandu, Paris, Frankfurt, Zurich, Helsinki, Madrid, Washington, and more. Protesters waved Indian flags, displayed banners, and raised slogans demanding justice for the victims and strict global action against Pakistan for its alleged support of terrorism.
Highlights from Global Demonstrations
- London: Hundreds gathered outside the Pakistani Embassy, chanting slogans against terrorism and Pakistan’s policies. The protest was marked by a tense moment when a Pakistani embassy official made an objectionable gesture towards the demonstrators, further fueling outrage after the video went viral on social media.
- Melbourne & Copenhagen: Indian communities rallied at Federation Square and city streets, holding placards and demanding accountability for the attack.
- Paris, Spain, Switzerland, Finland: Candlelight and silent marches were held to pay tribute to the victims. In Paris, protesters gathered in front of the Eiffel Tower, sending a message of unity and remembrance.
- Frankfurt: Over 300 Indian diaspora members marched through central Frankfurt, expressing solidarity and calling for global action against terrorism.
- Washington DC: Indian Americans held peaceful demonstrations, with many recounting personal stories of loss and trauma linked to past violence in Kashmir.
Context and Repercussions
The attack was initially claimed by The Resistance Front, an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistan-based terrorist group, though the claim was later retracted. Survivors reported that the attackers targeted victims based on religion, demanding they recite Islamic verses and separating men from women before opening fire.
India has accused Pakistan of supporting cross-border terrorism and responded by suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, expelling diplomats, and closing borders. Pakistan has denied the allegations but retaliated with diplomatic and trade restrictions, leading to heightened military tensions along the Line of Control.
Voices from the Protests
Many protesters emphasized that their actions were not politically or religiously motivated but were a call for justice and an end to terrorism.
“We don’t represent a religion or a political party. We just want to send out a message to Pakistan,” said a protester in Paris.
A Kashmiri Hindu woman in Washington shared her personal pain:
“April 22 brought back a lot of nightmares. We Kashmiri Hindus are facing the same and reliving the horrific incidents that happened over the decades with us,” she said.
Ongoing Security and Investigations
Back in India, the National Investigation Agency has intensified its probe, and security forces have launched crackdowns in Kashmir, demolishing homes linked to suspected militants and detaining hundreds. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and top officials are closely monitoring the situation, with calls for a robust response to prevent future attacks.
The global response underscores the deep pain and unity among Indians everywhere, as calls for justice grow louder and the international community faces renewed pressure to address the roots of cross-border terrorism.
