Wilton’s Hindu Mandir Temple Hosts Candlelight Vigil Calling for Peace After Terror Attack on Indian Tourists

Approximately 50 people attended a vigil on Sunday evening, Apr. 27 at Wilton’s Hindu Mandir Temple, to mourn the more than two dozen people who were brutally massacred in the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir on Tuesday, Apr. 22.

Most of the 26 people killed and the dozen others wounded in the assault were believed to be tourists, mostly from India. The remote region where the terror attack took place often sees conflict between Pakistani and Indian supporters, although media reports said that tourists are rarely targeted in any violence.

In Wilton, members of the Hindu community who attended the vigil came together to pray, sing and offer comfort to a community that had gathered to find spiritual solace and peach but showed glimpses of the anger toward those who perpetrated the horrible attack.

As people trickled in to the temple over the course of two hours, the community’s spiritual leader Swami Balgopal led the worshipers seated on mats on the floor facing a shrine to those who had been murdered. He offered a prayer for peace for the souls of those killed and spoke about Hindus being a people of non-violence.

“We are the non-violence people. If someone slapped us to one side, we can have the other side. But nowadays, people are … aggressive, what we can do? They are not like Gandhi. They are not like Martin Luther King. But still, we have to be close to the people, be the calm, cool and peace,” Swami said. “Today is at peace.”

He invited one member to stand and lead the group in a meditative “spiritual therapy,” The woman asked everyone to close their eyes for a “moment of stillness,” and to take slow, deep breaths while she guided them through inner thoughts.

“As you breathe in, let’s bring all the memories of people affected by the tragedy into our hearts. … Let’s breathe in compassion and breathe out the strength. … Imagine a soft light… this light is giving each and every person affected physically, mentally, emotionally, providing the the comfort, the peace, the resilience.”

While most of the vigil was tailored to honoring those who had been killed and emphasizing peaceful togetherness, there was still a moment when the group was focused on patriotism for India and a vow to fight against terrorism. One young worshiper read from prepared remarks that placed the blame on Pakistan and “jihadist extremism.”

“India will not bow to terrorism. There will be no safe space for radicalism. We must crush this threat wherever it appears — whether in the mountains of Kashmir, the villages of Bengal, or the cities of Kerala.

“To the families of the victims, we offer not just condolences but a vow — that their sacrifice will never be forgotten, and their loss will not be in vain. We will fight, and we will win.

“We will hold Pakistan accountable for its role in these attacks and in supporting terrorism on India. Terrorism will not break us. Extremism will not divide us. India will rise, stronger and more united than ever.”

One by one, the vigil attendees rose to light a candle on the shrine, and as small flames flickered in front of a poster showing the 26 victims, they sang collectively — first the “Star Spangled Banner” and followed it with the Indian National Anthem, “Jana Gana Mana.”