BRAMPTON, ON – April 26, 2025:
In a solemn demonstration of unity and compassion, more than 300 residents, community leaders, and elected officials gathered at Shri Bhagvad Gita Park on Saturday evening at a vigil organized by the Canadian Hindu Chamber of Commerce (CHCC) to honour the victims of the recent Pahalgam terror attacks in India.
The vigil was held in response to the Pahalgam terror attacks earlier this month, where dozens of innocent civilians were killed and many more injured. The attacks, which targeted both local residents and visitors to the region, have drawn international condemnation. For many in Brampton’s vibrant South Asian diaspora — particularly those with ties to India — the tragedy was felt deeply and personally.
Against this backdrop of grief and outrage, Saturday’s gathering served as an opportunity for collective mourning and a reaffirmation of shared values: peace, resilience, and communal harmony.
As the sun set behind the trees of Shri Bhagvad Gita Park, families, youth groups, and seniors arrived carrying candles and flowers. Soft hymns played in the background as participants reflected on the lives lost and the impact of violence on communities both near and far.
The atmosphere was one of quiet dignity. Children stood hand-in-hand with elders. Leaders moved among the crowd, offering words of comfort. Many participants wore white, a traditional symbol of peace and mourning.
Organizers set up a simple memorial at the heart of the park, where candles and floral tributes were placed in a growing circle of light.
In brief remarks, officials called for continued vigilance against extremism and reaffirmed their support for peaceful multiculturalism, a defining value of Canadian society.
The Canadian Hindu Chamber of Commerce (CHCC), which coordinated the event along with supporting organizations such as Canadian Hindu Volunteers, Vishwa Jain Sangathan, Canadian Hindus for Harmony, and Canadian Hindu Community Welfare, delivered a series of addresses that emphasized unity, compassion, and resilience.
“Today, we stood together not only to mourn, but to renew our commitment to a world where hatred has no home,” said Kushagr Dutt Sharma, President of CHCC.
“The pain of the Pahalgam attacks reminds us that unity and compassion are our strongest weapons against violence.”
CHCC Director Abhishek Tanwar urged the community not to allow fear to take root:
“When humanity is attacked, humanity must respond — not with fear, but with greater love, solidarity, and a fierce determination to protect innocent lives everywhere.”
Treasurer Vijayant Sood emphasized the strength of the community’s collective response:
“Our coming together sends a strong message: hatred may try to divide us, but we will always rise stronger, bound by peace and justice.”
For many attendees, the vigil was more than an act of remembrance — it was a reaffirmation of the values that underpin Canadian society: inclusion, respect, and a commitment to stand against hate in all its forms.
As candles flickered in the cool evening breeze, the sense of shared purpose was palpable. Conversations throughout the park reflected a renewed determination to reject division, to educate younger generations about tolerance, and to build stronger bridges across communities.
The Canadian Hindu Chamber of Commerce (CHCC) extended its heartfelt thanks to all who attended and pledged to continue efforts to foster dialogue, understanding, and resilience in the face of global challenges.
As Brampton’s residents left the park, their path illuminated by hundreds of glowing candles, the message was clear: the community stands united — in grief, in hope, and in unwavering resolve to uphold the values of peace and humanity.
