Voice of Amritsar holds candlelight vigil in memory of Pahalgam massacre victims

To pay homage to the victims of the Pahalgam massacre, the Voice of Amritsar (VOA) organised a candlelight vigil here today evening. The event was organised at Company Garden near the Mahatma Gandhi statue, a universal symbol of peace and non-violence.

Indu Aurora, a representative of the VOA, urged residents to pray for the departed souls. She emphasised on the importance of collective remembrance and unity against violence. “This vigil is a tribute to those innocent lives lost in the Pahalgam massacre. It is also a reminder of our shared commitment to peace, harmony and human dignity,” said Indu Aurora.

At least 125 people participated in a Shradhanjali Yatra at Company Garden, honouring Pahalgam martyrs here on Sunday. Organised by Maitri Bodh Parivaar, the yatra witnessed an extraordinary outpouring of love, unity and spirit. The people from all walks of life united to honour the departed souls and stand as one India. In a moving show of solidarity, the atmosphere resonated with the slogan “Ek Bharat, Hum Bharat” as participants walked hand-in-hand to pay silent tribute to the victims. They also lent their voices, expressing gratitude for this unparalleled initiative.

Emotions ran high as residents remembered lives lost not to a natural calamity, but to hatred, yet found hope in unity. A participant said, “Innocent tourists lost their lives at Pahalgam. Through this yatra, we honour them with love and respect.”

A spokesperson of Maitri Bodh Parivaar said, the yatra was not just a walk, it was a powerful statement that if hatred could divide, love could unite and heal. The yatra concluded with observation of disciplined “mauna” (silence) for the martyrs. “This historic walk will be remembered as the moment Bharat chose love over fear, unity over division and hope over despair,” the spokesman said.

Besides, some Sikh organisations issued a helpline number for all districts in Punjab to help Kashmiri students. A delegation led by Jaswinder Singh, an advocate of Akaal Purakh Ki Fauj, Giani Kewal Singh, convenor, Panthic Talmel Sangathan, and Kendri Singh said, “Punjab lives by the values of love, peace and harmony, inspired by the teachings of our Gurus. The recent incident at Pahalgam has sown seeds of hatred between communities, which is detrimental to our nation’s well-being. While those responsible for the crime must face severe punishment, we cannot judge an entire community based on the actions of a few.”

Amritsar