Bay Area Community Holds Candlelight Vigil For Pahalgam Victims
India-West Staff Reporter
MILPITAS, CA – The Association of Indo Americans (AIA) organized a poignant candlelight vigil on April 24 here, in remembrance of the victims of the recent deadly attack in Pahalgam. The gathering drew a large number of community members and elected officials who came together to express their solidarity and grief.
Attendees paid their respects to the innocent lives tragically cut short by the terrorist attack, offering heartfelt condolences to the families who have been left bereaved.
Many attendees voiced their deep anguish and strongly condemned the heinous act of terrorism. They collectively appealed to both Indian and U.S. authorities to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice for their crimes.
The vigil brought together individuals and representatives from diverse faiths and organizations, united in the sentiment that terrorism transcends religion and regional boundaries. Speakers emphasized that such acts are a direct assault on fundamental human values and the sanctity of life itself.
Several prominent community leaders and elected officials joined the vigil, including Santa Clara City Councilmembers Raj Chahal and Suds Jain, Fremont City Councilmember Dr. Yang Shao, Fremont Unified School District Board member Vivek Prasad, and Milpitas City Unified School District member Dr. Anu Nakka. Other community leaders present included Jeevan Zutshi, Dr. Anurag Mairal, Ajay Bhutoria, Sanjeev Kek, and Rajiv Sinha, among many others.
Supportive messages were also received from numerous elected officials who were unable to attend in person. These included Congressman Ro Khanna, Assemblymembers Ash Kalra and Alex Lee, Mayors Carmen Montano, Liang Chao, Raj Salwan, and Lily Mei, Councilmembers Tina Walia, Raymond Liu, Linda Snell, Evelyn Chua, and Teresa Cox, and Unified School District Board Member Rinu Nair.
The solemn gathering concluded with the lighting of candles, a symbolic gesture of remembrance and respect for the departed souls, uniting the community in their shared grief and resolve against violence.
