Hindu American Leaders Must End Their Silence: The Pahalgam Attack Demands a Response

The Pahalgam Attack: A Chilling Assault on Hindu Identity

On April 22, 2025, a horrific terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, claimed 26 lives, mostly Hindu tourists, in a calculated assault by militants linked to Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba and The Resistance Front (TRF). The attackers targeted non-Muslims, demanding victims recite Islamic verses or declare their religion, a chilling parallel to the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel that killed over 1,200. India’s response, “Operation Sindoor,” launched May 7, 2025, destroyed nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, a decisive strike praised by J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha: “Our brave armed forces will find [terrorists] and punish them” (The Hindu). Yet, while Jewish American leaders like Bill Ackman and Jerry Seinfeld vocally championed Israel post-October 7, many Hindu American leaders remained silent, a glaring failure that demands they speak out for their community and India.

The Pahalgam attack was an assault on Hindu identity, with survivors like Aishanya Dwivedi recounting her husband’s murder “point blank in the head” after declaring his Hindu faith (PBS News). The brutality of the attack, where tourists were singled out based on their religion, mirrors the targeted violence seen in other global terror incidents, demanding a robust response from diaspora leaders. India’s Operation Sindoor, a surgical strike aimed at dismantling terror infrastructure, was a testament to its resolve against cross-border terrorism, drawing international attention and support.

Global Condemnation and Support for India

India’s Operation Sindoor, described by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri as a “measured” response to Pakistan’s “original escalation” (NDTV), was met with widespread global condemnation of the initial attack and support for India’s actions. U.S. President Donald Trump called the Pahalgam attack “deeply disturbing,” stating, “The United States stands strong with India against terrorism” (India Today). Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed solidarity, telling PM Modi, “I am deeply saddened by the barbaric terrorist attack in Pahalgam… Israel stands with India in its fight against terrorism” (NDTV). French President Emmanuel Macron labeled it a “heinous act,” saying, “We share the profound sorrow of the victims’ families” (Reuters). Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s statement was particularly poignant: “The barbaric attack in Pahalgam has stolen the lives of newlyweds, children, and families simply seeking joy. Our hearts break for them. To those mourning – know that the UK stands with you in sorrow and solidarity. Terror will never win” (The Tribune). The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) and diaspora protests condemned Pakistan’s alleged role, but the silence from many prominent Hindu American figures was deafening until later.

Jewish American Leaders: A Model of Solidarity

The response from Jewish American leaders post-October 7, 2023, serves as a powerful model. Jerry Seinfeld (Forbes) posted, “I stand with Israel. My heart is breaking for the families,” and visited hostage families (Instagram). Gal Gadot (Celebrity Net Worth) pushed #ReleaseTheHostages, stating, “My heart breaks for my people” (Instagram). Bill Ackman (Forbes) supported Israel’s actions, tweeting, “We cannot allow antisemitism to flourish” (Wikipedia). Haim Saban (Forbes) and Debra Messing (Celebrity Net Worth) signed open letters, with Messing declaring, “We stand against terrorism” (Variety). Over 700 Hollywood figures rallied, backed by the Anti-Defamation League, demonstrating a unified front. UK MP Priti Patel’s call to stand against “barbaric” terrorism echoed this sentiment: “We must stand with those affected by terrorism” (NDTV).

Hindu American Silence: A Missed Opportunity

In contrast, Hindu American leaders initially failed their community. Tulsi Gabbard (Celebrity Net Worth) stood out early, tweeting on April 27, 2025, “We stand in solidarity with India… targeting and killing 26 Hindus in Pahalgam” (X). Vivek Ramaswamy (Forbes) also spoke out, stating, “This was a horrific attack. We extend our condolences to the families” (Times of India). Aravind Srinivas (Forbes), CEO of Perplexity AI, condemned the attack on April 27, 2025, thanking PM Modi for his commitment to fighting terrorism, in response to Modi’s earlier post about pursuing terrorists “to the ends of the earth” (X). However, Sundar Pichai (Forbes), Satya Nadella (Forbes), Kamala Harris (Celebrity Net Worth), Deepak Chopra (Celebrity Net Worth), Mindy Kaling (Celebrity Net Worth), Indra Nooyi (Celebrity Net Worth), and Shantanu Narayen (Forbes) remained silent initially. X users slammed their “cowardice,” contrasting them with Jewish leaders like Ackman and Oracle’s Larry Ellison ([X posts]). “People of India are very angry… They want revenge,” reported Times Now, capturing diaspora frustration (Times Now).

Why the Silence?

Why the initial silence? The Pahalgam attack’s regional focus, unlike October 7’s global resonance, and India-Pakistan tensions may explain some caution. Corporate leaders like Pichai, Nadella, Narayen, and Nooyi face pressure to stay neutral, risking backlash in the U.S. or India’s polarized climate. Harris navigates U.S. diplomacy, which urged restraint (BBC). The Hindu diaspora, shaped by post-1965 immigration, lacks the advocacy networks Jewish Americans built through groups like the American Jewish Committee. But these are weak excuses. When Hindus were massacred, leaders should have echoed Russian President Vladimir Putin, who called it a “brutal crime” with “no justification” (The Hindu), or Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, who said, “I am deeply saddened… Italy stands with India” (DD News). Their initial inaction fueled diaspora disillusionment, though figures like Gabbard, Ramaswamy, and Srinivas eventually spoke out.

A Call to Action for Hindu American Leaders

Hindu American leaders must act consistently. The Pahalgam attack’s targeting of Hindus, condemned by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as a “heinous” act (Vivekananda International Foundation), demands their voice. They should follow Ackman’s example, who confronted antisemitism, or Gadot, who stood firm despite boycott calls. Building on HAF’s efforts, Pichai, Nadella, Harris, Nooyi, Narayen, Kaling, Chopra, and Srinivas must condemn the attack and back India’s fight against terrorism. As Patel urged, “We must stand with those affected by terrorism” (NDTV). Operation Sindoor, symbolizing Hindu resilience (CNN), deserves their support. Silence weakens Hindu American unity when strength is critical. The diaspora demands leaders who stand unapologetically for their people, as Jewish Americans did for Israel and as Rishi Sunak affirmed, “The UK stands with you in sorrow and solidarity. Terror will never win” (The Tribune). The time for silence is over; the time for action is now.