In a powerful display of solidarity, people gathered outside the Indian High Commission in London to support the victims of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The April 22 attack claimed the lives of 26 individuals—including tourists—and left several others injured in one of the deadliest assaults in the valley since Pulwama in 2019.
Waving Indian flags and chanting “Bharat Mata Ki Jai,” the demonstrators carried placards bearing messages such as “Keep Calm and Crush Jihadist Terrorism from Jammu and Kashmir to Jerusalem” and “Hindu Lives Matter.” The demonstration aimed to raise awareness and show global unity against terrorism targeting civilians.
Kuldeep Singh Shekhawat, President of the Overseas Friends of BJP (UK), urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take the strongest action possible against the terrorists and their supporters. “Innocent civilians were killed while they were on holiday. This kind of brutality is absolutely unacceptable,” Shekhawat said. “We request our Prime Minister to deal with this with full force. There’s not a single Indian who will tolerate such acts, nor any decent human being across the world.”
Another demonstrator, expressing Israel’s solidarity with India, said, “We know what jihadist terror looks like. Israel stands with India today and always. Our alliance and unity can defeat terrorism from Jammu and Kashmir to Jerusalem.” He also invited people to join the Israel-India Friendship Club, promoting bilateral support against extremist threats.
Simultaneously, a solemn commemorative ceremony was held at the India House in London to honor the victims. Attendees included UK Minister Catherine West, Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs L Murugan, UK MPs Bob Blackman and Kanishka Narayan, and House of Lords members Sandy Verma and Lord Raval. Maharashtra’s Minister of Social Justice Sanjay Shirsat was also present.
India’s High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, addressed the gathering, underlining the importance of unity, justice, and unwavering resolve in the face of terrorism. “This attack was not just an assault on lives but on peace and progress. We will never forget, and we will never forgive. There will be a price to pay for such cruelty,” he stated.
Community members observed a moment of silence for the victims, while dignitaries reiterated their commitment to ensuring that every perpetrator, along with their backers, will be brought to justice. The event reflected a broader international consensus against terrorism and highlighted the growing strategic and emotional ties between India and the global community, particularly the UK.
The attack in Pahalgam, which specifically targeted tourists at Baisaran meadow, has been widely condemned. India has since taken robust countermeasures against Pakistan, holding it accountable for its continued support of cross-border terrorism.
As the world responds with outrage and unity, the message from London was clear: terrorism will not go unchallenged, and the victims of such senseless violence will never be forgotten.