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Georgia Hindus rally to protest Pahalgam terror attack
Lawmakers, Indian consul general and community leaders gathered to condemn the attack while demanding global action and unity.
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Staff Reporter
- Mon, 05, May 2025
- 15:42 EDT
- 284
Legislators show support for the Hindu community (From left to right: GA Senator Shawn Still, GA Senator Greg Dolezal, GA Representative Carter Barret, GA Senator Jason Esteves, GA Representative Todd Jones, Dr. Vasudev Patel, GA Representative Esther Panitch, Rajeev Menon, US Congressman (GA-7) Dr. Rich McCormick, Consul General of India, Atlanta Ramesh Babu Lakshmanan and Dr. Ajay Houde) / Courtesy Photo- Ajay Houde/ HSS
The Hindu-American community in Georgia organized a protest rally in Atlanta on May 5 in response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam.
Various national and local lawmakers, as well as representatives of local organizations and national groups, attended the rally, which was organized by the Hindu Community of Georgia.
Also read: Indian community holds vigil for Kashmir victims in New Jersey
Held in Suwanee, the rally was attended by hundreds of participants who expressed solidarity with the victims and condemned terrorism. They waved Indian and American flags, held placards that read "No to Terror, Yes to Peace," and chanted slogans demanding justice.
Congressman Rich McCormick, co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and the Indian-Americans, called the attack “a stark reminder of the global threat terrorism poses.” He pledged continued support for intelligence sharing between the U.S. and India.
“This heinous attack in Pahalgam is a stark reminder of the global threat terrorism poses. The United States stands firmly with India in combating this scourge, and I’m committed to ensuring we share intelligence and resources to enhance security for both nations,” he said.
Hindu community protest for Pahalgam terror victims / Courtesy Photo- Ajay Houde/ HSSGeorgia State Senator Shawn Still echoed the condemnation, especially of the targeting of individuals based on faith. The Consul General of India in Atlanta, Ramesh Babu Lakshmanan, thanked the U.S. government and local community for their support and added, “This cowardly act is a direct attack on the values of peace and brotherhood that India upholds.”
Community leaders such as Ajay Houde of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) and Dr. Subash Razdan, a Kashmiri Hindu activist, reflected on the long history of violence in the region.
“This attack was not just on Pahalgam but on the very fabric of humanity,” Houde stated. “HSS stands with the victims’ families and the people of Jammu and Kashmir. We call for a global coalition to dismantle terror networks.”
Hindu community protest for Pahalgam terror victims / Courtesy Photo- Ajay Houde/ HSS
Razdan highlighted the ongoing marginalization of Hindus in Kashmir. “This is not the first time Hindus were attacked in Kashmir. A 100 percent Hindu population in the 13th century has now been reduced to merely a few thousand. Kashmir witnessed 7 waves of Hindu exodus since the Islamic invasions 800 years ago.”
Other speakers, including Vasudev Patel of the Federation of Gujarati Associations of USA and Rajeev Menon of the Hindus of Georgia PAC, called for swift justice and unified global action against terrorism.
The rally concluded with a pledge to support counterterrorism initiatives and provide aid to victims’ families. Organizers plan to work with authorities to ensure stronger measures against extremism.
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