The Indo-Canadian community is still in shock after the recent terror attack on tourists in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22. Across Canada, people gathered for prayer meetings and vigils in cities like Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Vancouver, Montreal, and others to remember the victims.

Large Gathering in Brampton

On Saturday morning, more than 300 people came together at Gita Park in Brampton for a solemn vigil. Local politicians also attended the event, which was organised to honour those affected by the attack.

The Canadian Hindu Chamber of Commerce (CHCC), which arranged the gathering, said, “The gathering served as a powerful reminder of unity, compassion, and the collective determination to uphold peace. Together, attendees prayed, reflected, and reaffirmed their commitment to a future built on harmony and resilience.”

Kushagr Dutt Sharma, president of CHCC, shared emotional words during the event. He said, “Today, we stood together not just to mourn, but to renew our commitment to a world where hatred has no home. The pain of the Pahalgam attacks reminds us that unity and compassion are our strongest weapons against violence.”

Candlelight Vigil in Toronto

Later that evening, a similar number of mourners attended a candlelight vigil at Mel Lastman Square in Toronto. One of the lead organisers, Ruchi Wali, addressed the crowd and stressed that one of their key messages was to show that “Hindu lives matter.”

Wali, who has roots in Jammu and Kashmir, also pointed out the Canadian government's lack of response. She criticised the authorities for remaining silent about condemning the attackers.

Concerns About Political Response

Rishabh Sarswat, president of the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) Canada, also spoke at the vigil. He said, “Hindu trauma is not recognised in Western countries” and pointed out that this attitude is “reflected in the media and in the language of politicians.”

Speakers at the event criticised Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney for being the last among G7 leaders to condemn the incident. Sarswat remarked that this delay “spoke volumes” about how seriously the Canadian political class treats Hindu rights. He added, “That is very concerning for us as Hindu Canadians.”

Broader Support Across Communities

Not only Hindus, but members of Jewish organisations and Baloch human rights activists also joined the Indo-Canadian groups to show their support. Meanwhile, in Vancouver, people gathered peacefully at the Vancouver Art Gallery to stand with the victims' families. Montreal also held a vigil to honour the memory of those lost.

Community Groups Express Sympathy

The Hindu Cultural Society of Toronto issued a heartfelt statement offering their “deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the innocent victims brutally killed” during the attack. They announced they would be holding a prayer meeting on Sunday.

The Hindu Sabha Mandir, which faced an attack from pro-Khalistan elements last November, also condemned the violence. In their statement, they said, “Such reprehensible acts of terrorism against peace loving Hindu tourists, enjoying their vacation time in serene Pahalgam valley, has no place in our law-abiding world.”