On Friday, April 25, more than 250 community members from Livingston and surrounding towns gathered at the gazebo at the Oval for a candlelight vigil honoring the innocent lives lost in the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, located in Kashmir, India. Organized by the Livingston India Alliance, the drew attendees from all walks of life standing together in solidarity against violence.
In his remarks, Mayor Ed Meinhardt condemned the senseless violence and reaffirmed Livingston’s support and solidarity with the victims and their families.
Vigil is Held
Council member Ketan Bhuptani, who organized the vigil, urged “the silent and peaceful majority to rise and become a vocal majority working hard for peace.” He emphasized the need for communities to “stand up, speak out, and never be complicit in the face of violence.” He also condemned the targeted religious killings and demanded justice.
Sirsij Peshin, a Kashmiri Hindu whose community has endured the trauma of forced displacement during the 1990 exodus from Kashmir, also addressed the crowd. He spoke about how the terror attack has opened up the wounds for him and many Kashmiri Hindus in Livingston.
Fal Pandya, a member of the Hindu clergy in the Livingston Interfaith Clergy Association, called for unity and peace, while passionately reminding everyone that silence in the face of injustice enables violence to continue.
Shashank Singh read names and short stories of each victim.
During the vigil, battery- operated candles were lit, prayers were offered, and a collective pledge was made to never be silent in the face of injustice. Participants walked around the Oval with the candles before offering them to the memorial that was quickly put together by organizers in the days following the attack.
Elected officials in attendence included Mayor Ed Meinhardt; Deputy Mayor Shawn Klein; Council members Al Anothny and Ketan Bhuptani; state senator John McKean; assemblywoman Rosy Bagolie; assemblywoman Alixon Collazos Gill; representatives from Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill’s office; and Livingston Board of Education members Parul Khemka, Pam Chirls, Fang Gong, and Inna Yelisevich.
