Lara Zijl 
AUCKLAND, 4 May 2025: In a moving display of solidarity and collective grief, the Indian community in New Zealand gathered at the Diversity Centre in Papatoetoe for a Shradhanjali Sabha (memorial gathering) to honour the innocent victims of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir.
Organised by Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (NZ) in association with a broad coalition of Bharatiya diaspora organisations, the event drew participation from across the country. The sabha was held in remembrance of the 26 unarmed Hindu civilians, mostly male tourists, who were brutally killed on 22 April 2025 while visiting the scenic valley of Pahalgam with their families. Many children witnessed the horror, further deepening the tragedy.
Among those in attendance was the Consul General of India in Auckland, along with a wide spectrum of community leaders and members from cultural, religious, and civic organisations. Represented groups included the Central Indian Association, Supreme Sikh Society, ISSO (Swaminarayan Mandir, Papatoetoe), Dashmesh Darbar Gurudwara, Bharatiya Mandir, BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha Avondale, Chinmaya Mission, New Zealand Kannada Koota, Bharatiya Samaj, and many more.
The sabha began with solemn silence and heartfelt tributes to the victims. Speakers from various backgrounds offered messages of condolence, strongly condemning the attack and standing in support of the affected families. A common theme in the addresses was the absolute rejection of any ideology, grievance or religious interpretation used to justify such inhumane violence.
“This gathering reflects not only our grief but our shared resolve,” said one speaker. “As a community, we mourn together and stand united against any act that threatens peace, dignity, and the sanctity of human life.”
Community figures such as Mahesh Bindra (former Member of Parliament), Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi (President, Sewa Trust), and leaders from Auckland Indian Association, Indian Association Manukau, Hindu Foundation of New Zealand, and NZ Hindu Students Forum added their voices to the chorus of solidarity and remembrance.
Organisations that sent remote messages of support and condolences included the Hindu Council of New Zealand, Gujarati Samaj, Tamil Hindu Temple, Shanti Niwas Charitable Trust, and Yogi Divine Society, underlining the nationwide impact of the event.
The session concluded with a prayer from Chapter 15 of the Bhagavad Gita, led by Pandit Ajay Tiwari. Attendees prayed for peace and “sadgati” (spiritual liberation) for the departed souls and strength for the grieving families.
The Shradhanjali Sabha was not just a moment of mourning but a powerful reaffirmation of values — peace, humanity, dharma, and unity. In the face of terror, the Bharatiya community in Aotearoa stood together, echoing a message of resilience and compassion across borders.
