Hindus gather in Eisenhower Park to condemn deadly attack in Kashmir

Hundreds of Hindus and their loved ones gathered in Eisenhower Park in East Meadow on Sunday evening to denounce an attack that killed 26 tourists in the Indian-administered region of Kashmir on Tuesday.

Among them was Virender Hak, of Huntington, a member of the Kashmiri Overseas Association, whose family fled the long-disputed region in 1990 during an exodus of 100,000 Kashmiri Hindu people.

“Our houses got burned, our temples were destroyed. … We have been through this before,” he said.

Gunmen opened fire last week on a group of mostly Indian tourists near the resort town of Pahalgam, singling out Hindu people and executing them. At least 36 others were injured. India has blamed Pakistan for the attack, while Pakistan has denied any involvement. Both countries claim the region of Kashmir, fighting two wars over its control since 1947.

After Tuesday’s attack, India cut a crucial water-sharing treaty with Pakistan, closed its borders to the neighboring country and revoked visas, while Pakistan has canceled visas, closed its airspace to Indian airlines and suspended trade with India.

A group called the Kashmir Resistance has claimed responsibility for the deadly assault.

“My blood is boiling and my heart is aching,” said Bina Sabapathy, president of Indo American Community Voice, the group that organized Sunday’s vigil.

“Kashmir has become a graveyard,” she said.

The event began with the American and Indian national anthems, a Hindu prayer and remarks from community leaders and elected officials.

“My blood is all American, but my heart that pumps it is Indian,” said Thomas Joy, a longtime Suffolk County police officer and U.S. military veteran.

“A young couple on their honeymoon … six days of marriage. … mowed down because he was Hindu.”

Among the elected officials who spoke on Sunday were Nassau County Comptroller Elaine Phillips, North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena, Hempstead Councilman Ed Scott and former state Sen. Kevin Thomas (D-Levittown), the first Indian American elected to the state Senate.

“These were regular people. They were going on vacation,” said Assemb. Edward Braunstein (D-Queens). “It’s absolutely devastating to see these heinous acts of violence.”