By Arun Pratap Singh
Dehradun, 24 Apr: The Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu & Kashmir, which claimed 28 lives on Tuesday, has sparked widespread outrage across Uttarakhand. In Dehradun, last evening, the women’s outfit of RSS Rashtriya Sevika Sangathan held a protest rally in the city. Various other outfits affiliated to the RSS and various independent organisations have also held protests against the terror attack. Municipal corporators from Dehradun Municipal Corporation have also organised protest rallies across various wards. Most of these protests have been planned to be held tomorrow.
In addition, the Muslim community expressed their grief and condemnation by keeping shops in the Inamullah Building and Paltan Bazaar closed until noon. Shahar Qazi Syed Mohammad Ahmed Qasmi of Jama Masjid in Paltan Bazaar voiced his anguish over the loss of innocent lives, stating that terrorists disregard humanity and the families of their victims. He called for swift and decisive action by the Prime Minister and Defence Minister to restore peace in the Kashmir valley.
At Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar, the Shri Ganga Sabha members prayed for the souls of those killed in the attack and lit lamps in their memory. Traders from Shivalik Nagar Vyapar Mandal also protested by burning effigies of Pakistan at the Shivalik Nagar commercial complex.
Meanwhile, in Mussoorie, anger against the attack was palpable as Bajrang Dal activists organised a protest rally on Mall Road. Gathering at Gandhi Chowk, protesters burned the Pakistani flag and raised slogans of “Pakistan Murdabad”. They condemned terrorism as a global menace rooted in Pakistan and demanded verification of the increasing number of outside traders in Mussoorie.
In Rudraprayag, demonstrations were held in Guptakashi by various organisations, including Gau Raksha Department, Bhairav Sena, and Bajrang Sena, alongside local residents of Kedarghati. Protesters burned effigies of Pakistan and demanded strict action against the perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack. They expressed concerns over the growing presence of non-Hindus in Kedarnath Dham, citing it as a potential threat to the region’s religious sanctity and security.
Protests also erupted in Ramnagar, Nainital district, where a funeral procession of terrorism was taken out. Slogans such as “Ram naam satya hai, terror ka ant hai” and “terrorism murdabad” were raised in the streets during the procession. The protesters emphasised the need for unity among citizens to combat terrorism and safeguard the nation’s identity.
In Lansdowne, Rashtriya Lok Dal Uttarakhand staged a protest at Lansdowne Chowk, burning effigies of Pakistan. State media in-charge Sundar Singh Rawat condemned the attack as unforgivable and demanded that the Government of India avenge the martyrdom of the victims by taking action on Pakistani soil.
