Students at the University of California, Berkeley convened for a poignant candlelight vigil to honor the 26 individuals who lost their lives in the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam. This event was orchestrated by Hindu Yuva USA in collaboration with the Youth Action Network of the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA). The vigil provided a platform for reflection and mourning, particularly for young Kashmiri Hindu American students and alumni, many of whom bear the emotional scars of displacement and familial loss. CoHNA characterized the attack in a social media statement as ‘religiously motivated,’ indicating that the victims were specifically targeted due to their confirmed Hindu identity. The organization noted that the vigil allowed students to articulate their sorrow and connect with others during this collective moment of remembrance. ‘We commend these courageous students and the Berkeley chapters of CoHNA Youth Action Network and Hindu Yuva for organizing this heartfelt event, which came together spontaneously within hours of the incident,’ the organization remarked. In a separate communication, Hindu Yuva USA vehemently denounced the attack, labeling it a ‘senseless act of terror’ fueled by a divisive agenda. The group expressed its solidarity with the victims and underscored the pressing need for peace and sustainable solutions.
