Auckland, 6 May 2025 - The Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (NZ), in association with Bharatiya Diaspora Organisations, held a Shradhanjali Sabha on Sunday, 4th May, at the Diversity Center in Papatoetoe to honour the innocent lives lost in the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, Bharat (India).

The attack, which occurred on 22 April 2025, saw armed terrorists target Hindu tourists, resulting in the tragic deaths of 26 male civilians in the presence of their families, including children. The sombre gathering in Auckland drew a large turnout, including the Hon Consul General of India in Auckland and leaders from a wide spectrum of community organisations such as the Central Indian Association, Israel Institute of NZ, GOPIO Auckland Chapter, ISSO (Swami Narayan Mandir, Papatoetoe), Dashmesh Darbar Gurudwara, Supreme Sikh Society, and several others.

Messages of solidarity were also received from organisations across New Zealand, including the Hindu Council of New Zealand, Gujarati Samaj, Tamil Hindu Temple, and Shanti Niwas Charitable Trust. Community leaders and attendees collectively condemned the attack, emphasising that no ideology, grievance, or religious belief can ever justify such acts of terror.

The Sabha concluded with a solemn prayer from the Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 15, led by Pandit Ajay Tiwari, invoking peace for the departed souls and strength for the bereaved families. The event served as a powerful moment of unity for the Indian community in Aotearoa, reaffirming a shared commitment to stand against terrorism and uphold the universal values of dharma, peace, and humanity.