Fremont, California, Apr 28: In a significant and emotionally charged demonstration, Hindu American Foundation (HAF), Kashmiri Overseas Association (KOA), Kashmiri Hindu Foundation (KHF), and the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) jointly organised a major protest today in Fremont California to condemn the brutal terrorist attack on Hindu tourists in Pahalgam, Kashmir.
The demonstrators, carrying saffron flags, placards, and banners, gathered to express their deep anguish and anger over yet another act of terror targeting Hindus in the Kashmir Valley. The protestors also paid solemn homage to all Hindu martyrs of Kashmir.
Ankit Monga, President of Kashmiri Hindu Foundation USA categorically stated, “No superficial rehabilitation measures, return plans, or ‘reconciliation gimmicks’ would succeed. Kashmiri Hindus must be re-established in a Union Territory of Panun Kashmir, under full constitutional protection and direct governance by India.”
The protestors raised slogans demanding justice for the Kashmiri Hindu community, recognition of their genocide, and the establishment of a separate Homeland Panun Kashmir within the Valley of Kashmir. Rashmi Dhar, a Kashmiri Pandit demonstrator said, “Without the creation of Panun Kashmir as a Union Territory within India, ensuring absolute security, freedom, and dignity for Kashmiri Hindus, no return would be possible, nor would normalcy and peace be restored in Kashmir.”
One of the central demands of the demonstration was the immediate enactment of the Panun Kashmir Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Bill 2020. “The Genocide Bill represents not just a legislative formality but a moral commitment to acknowledging, documenting, and prosecuting the long-ignored crimes committed against the indigenous Hindu population of Kashmir,” remarked another protester, Ajay Dhar.
“The denial of Kashmiri Pandit genocide has resulted into the attacks like the Pahalgam Hindu Massacre. We demand immediate recognition and reparation of the genocide, and carving out of Panun Kashmir homeland,”said Pawan Raina.
“Our homes were burnt, our temples desecrated, our families murdered, our dignity attacked, and yet the world has remained silent,” said Anuradha Kaul, emphasizing the urgent need for international solidarity, intervention and justice.
Tributes were paid to the martyrs of the Pahalgam Massacre. All organisers spoke up about protection of Hindu’s religious rights and called for global recognition and action against Jihadi terrorism. Two Jewish community organizations – American Jewish Committee and Stand With Us also showed solidarity with Hindus and India.
The event drew support from Indian-American community leaders, human rights defenders, and other Hindu advocacy organizations, all of whom stood in solidarity with the cause.
“Our struggle is not for revenge, but for restoration of our lives, our culture, our temples, and our right to exist as free people in our own land. Kashmir will only become safe for Hindus in particular and fellow Indians in general when indigenous Kashmiri Hindus are resettled in their own homeland Panun Kashmir,” said Satish Raina.
