Villagers hold candle march, seek strict action

Residents from Delhi’s 360 villages led by Palam 360 Khap chief Chaudhary Surender Solanki staged a powerful protest against the Pahalgam terror attack, here on Friday. The demonstration included a candlelight march to pay tribute to the martyrs.

The protest began at Ambedkar Bhavan in Palam Extension and concluded at Ramphal Chowk. The march was attended by a large group of men, women, youth and elderly, all holding candles as a symbol of respect for the victims of the terror attack. The participants also raised slogans such as “Martyrs forever live” and “Pakistan haaye haaye,” expressing their outrage over the attack and demanding stronger action against terrorism.

Chaudhary Surender Solanki, leader of the protest, strongly condemned the attack and called for stringent measures against Pakistan and terrorists responsible for the attack.

“The nation’s patience has worn thin with such attacks. Now is the time for a decisive step,” Solanki stated. He announced his plans to visit the families of the martyrs to offer condolences.

Solanki also revealed that a protest would be organised outside the Pakistan Embassy to demand concrete action against terrorism, emphasising the need for the international community to hold Pakistan accountable.

Jama Masjid Imam condemns attack

Condemning the brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Shahi Imam of Delhi’s historic Jama Masjid, Syed Ahmed Bukhari, delivered a powerful message during Friday prayers, declaring that the perpetrators — though claiming to be Muslims — have acted in ways that are “utterly un-Islamic." Inhis address, the Shahi Imam denounced the violence and invoked the Quran to emphasise the sanctity of human life. “To kill one human being is as if to kill all of humanity, and to save one human being is as if to save all of humanity," he said, referencing a verse often cited to underscore Islam’s opposition to violence.

“The terrorists, claiming to be Muslims, have displayed behaviour that is utterly un-Islamic. What kind of Islam have they learned or been taught?" Bukhari questioned, adding that such acts have no basis in the religion’s teachings, history, or culture.

Worshippers gathered at Jama Masjid joined in protest after the prayer, raising slogans against terrorism and expressing outrage over the senseless killings of mostly Hindu tourists.

“This is not the time to divide people into Hindus and Muslims, but to stand together for the honour, sovereignty and dignity of the nation," he said.

Delhi