Connecting Global Threads of Faith Newsletter # 2 April
- Editorial Team GHTN
- May 6
- 4 min read
Updated: May 12
In Remembrance
We bow in reverence to the innocent Hindu souls whose lives were taken in a moment of unthinkable cruelty. Though their voices were silenced, their spirit endures—in every diya lit, every tear shed, and every prayer whispered under breath. For the families left behind, the pain is eternal; for the survivors, the scars are deep.
On behalf of the Global Hindu Temple Network, we offer our heartfelt prayers for peace and healing and stand in resolve that Dharma shall prevail over adharma. May their journey to the divine be guided by light.
"ॐ असतो मा सद्गमय, तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय, मृत्योर्मा अमृतं गमय।"Lead us from untruth to truth, from darkness to light, from death to immortality.
Om Shanti.In mourning. In remembrance. In resolve.
March Newsletter – 2
(April 15 – April 30)
In an era of unprecedented global connectivity, the struggles and resilience of Hindus facing violence and persecution often go unrecognized. This fortnightly report brings these overlooked narratives to light by providing an unbiased and comprehensive selection of news agencies’ reports offering an overview of incidents impacting the Hindu community worldwide, while also celebrating Hindu heritage. Through this initiative, we seek to raise awareness and advocate for the protection of Hindu rights and religious freedom globally.
World on Pahalgam Hindu Massacre
The Indian diaspora around the world held protests against the horrific terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where Hindu tourists were deliberately targeted. From Federation Square in Melbourne to the Pakistan High Commission in London, and from Copenhagen to the Pakistan Embassy in Kathmandu, protesters condemned the brutal killings of Hindus and demanded justice. Demonstrations also took place in Paris, Zurich, Helsinki, Spain, and other countries, where the Indian community paid tribute to the Hindu victims. In Frankfurt, over 300 people marched from Central Railway Station to Dom Romer, expressing solidarity with the Hindu families affected by the attack.
North America
United States of America
The US Foreign Affairs Committee slammed The New York Times for downplaying the Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir as a "militant" incident, calling it "removed from reality." The attack, carried out by a Pakistan-based terror group, was a clear act of terrorism, exposing the Western media’s double standards in reporting on India.
Hundreds of Indian-Americans in Houston held a solemn vigil to honor the victims of the Pahalgam terrorist attack, calling for stronger action against targeted killings of Hindus. Participants, wearing white and holding placards like “Hindu Lives Matter,” stood in silence and pledged to seek justice, as similar vigils took place across North America. The attack, claimed by TRF, killed 26 people, marking the deadliest strike in Kashmir since 2019.
Canada
In Canada, Khalistani extremists vandalized the Laxmi Narayan Temple in Surrey and defaced a Vancouver gurdwara with separatist slogans, sparking outrage. Hindu and Sikh community leaders condemned the attacks as dangerous attempts to spread fear and demanded immediate action against rising extremism.
Canadian MP Chandra Arya urged Hindu and Sikh communities to unite and demand decisive action against Khalistani extremists after the desecration of a temple and a gurdwara.
South-East Asia
India
US Vice President JD Vance, along with his wife Usha and their children, visited New Delhi’s Akshardham Temple, where the family received a warm welcome and admired India’s rich cultural heritage.
In a blood-soaked act of Islamist terror at Kashmir’s Baisaran Valley, jihadis selectively massacred Hindu tourists, executing them after brutal religious tests. Western media, led by outlets like AP and NYT, shamelessly whitewashed the atrocity, downplaying Hindu victimhood and sanitizing jihadist brutality under euphemisms like "militants" and "gunfire spray," committing a second atrocity through denial and distortion.
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday, seeking to bridge caste divisions within the Hindu community, called for greater social harmony by embracing the principle of "one temple, one well, and one cremation ground" for all.
The doors of Shri Kedarnath Dham will open on May 2, followed by Shri Badrinath Dham on May 4, with other temples like Shri Madmaheshwar and Shri Tungnath reopening soon after, as part of the Char Dham Yatra, a major Hindu pilgrimage. The state government is committed to ensuring the safety of pilgrims, recognizing the Yatra's importance to Uttarakhand's economy.
A tragic firecracker explosion at a temple festival in Salem, Tamil Nadu, claimed the lives of four individuals, including two young boys. This incident has sparked a call for stricter safety measures during religious festivals, highlighting the need for enhanced protocols to protect devotees.
Encroachments around the Arunachaleshwara temple in Tiruvannamalai were demolished to make way for stormwater drain construction, improving traffic flow and preparing for the Chitra Pournami festival.
Stranded after a terror attack near Pahalgam, 15 tourists from Nagpur found refuge at Parshuram temple in Dangri after being denied passage to a nearby village due to militant threats. Temple caretakers and locals offered them food, shelter, and medical aid through the night, ensuring their safety. The group's fearful journey turned into a heartwarming reminder of humanity's compassion amidst chaos.
As part of arrangements for the Chithirai festival, Madurai City Police have planned to remove all encroachments from the roads and pedestrian pathways around Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple.
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