Welcome to Eternal Path! This week we feature: The Pahalgam Massacre and Ensuing Narratives and an aesthetic!
Hinduphobia Highlight: Pahalgam Massacre and Ensuing Narratives
On April 22, 2025 Muslim terrorists (a mix of local Kashmiri Muslims and infiltrators from Pakistan) attacked tourists visiting Pahalgam, a tourist site in the Kashmir part of Jammu & Kashmir, killing more than 25 people. They singled out Hindus for killing by: going up to people and asking them to recite kailma (the six kalimas of Islam), pulling down the pants of men to check for circumcision (Hindus do not circumsize their penises, Muslims [and Jews] do), and asking for ID cards. Additionally one Christian, one Shia non-Kashmiri local who was helping a tourist, and one Israeli tourist were among the victims.
This terrorist attack obviously was clearly an attack on Hindus, as all eyewitness testimony confirms. https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/muslims-separate-hindu-separate-recalls-eyewitness-account-of-young-pahalgam-terror-attack-survivor-watch/3820477/
Om Shanti for all the lives lost and we wish nothing less than brutal deaths for the terrorists and their supporters.
In the aftermath of this disgusting Islamic terrorist attack, a number of concerning Hinduphobic narratives have emerged, gaining cachet in elements of the American left. They include (links provided):
claiming that there is no concept of “tourism on occupied land”
projecting future Islamophobia and crackdowns and ignoring the attack itself
An interesting aside around comparisons of Israel to India re: Kashmir is that the Palestinian Authority directly condemned the terrorist attack in Kashmir and reaffirmed support for India’s stability and security.
Now that you know some of the narratives swirling around Kashmir, what to do about it?
When you see Hinduphobic content, directly call it out, whether in public, or in your social circles, or on social media. Do not let people spread Islamist propaganda without pushback, and make sure to speak factually and respectfully when doing so.
However, if accused of being “Hindutvavadi"/fascist/(insert claim here)” then directly go on the attack. Name-calling can go both ways, and accuse them of being bigots, terrorism supporters, communists, settler-colonial (if Bangladeshi or Pakistani especially)
Amplify groups that are sharing the proper Hindu perspectives on issues. On social media that can include liking, reposting, and commenting (even a fire or clap emoji is enough)
Hindu on Campus has a great thread documenting anti-Hindu posts on X stemming from the violence - https://x.com/hinduoncampus/status/1914856769966498166
Aesthetic: Vizag Hindu Temple
