Ethnic communities in New Zealand's Christchurch hold vigil, denounce the Pahalgam terror attack
A memorial vigil occurred in Christchurch for tourists who died in the Kashmir terror attack. The Christchurch Bengali Community Inc organised the event
KOLKATA: In Christchurch, the second-largest city in New Zealand, various communities gathered on Saturday to hold a memorial vigil for tourists who lost their lives in last month's tragic terror attack in Kashmir. Several families present at the vigil were personally impacted, having lost relatives and acquaintances in the Pahalgam incident.
The memorial service, coordinated by Christchurch Bengali Community Inc, drew participation from numerous non-resident Indians and delegates from various ethnic groups, including the Canterbury Punjabi Association. Political representatives from across New Zealand's spectrum participated or shared messages of support, denouncing terrorism.
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Labour Party MPs H Megan Woods and Duncan Webb attended personally, expressing strong condemnation of the attack and offering condolences to affected families.
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Greater Christchurch parliamentarians from the National Party coalition, including Matt Doocey, Nicola Grigg, Vanessa Weenink, and Hamish Campbell, released a collective statement:
'New Zealand condemns the terrorist attack in Kashmir. We extend our deepest condolences to the victims, their families and all those affected.'
Parmjeet Parmar of the ACT Party coalition shared this message:
'This is a tragic act of terror and hate, and I condemn it in the strongest terms. I am shocked and saddened by this senseless violence. My thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones, and all those affected. Those responsible for this terrible act must be brought to justice. Every human being has the inherent dignity to live in peace. Disputes must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy, not through cowardly acts of brutality.'
The commemoration, situated at the Bridge of Remembrance in central Christchurch, attracted diverse ethnic community members, including families with young children as young as 14 months.
Saurabh Bose, representing Christchurch Bengali Community Inc Society, established the context by noting that the vigil honoured the victims, their families, and others vulnerable to global political violence.
Arpan Mandal, chairperson of Christchurch Bengali Community Inc Society, strongly denounced the calculated attack that resulted in 26 fatalities and over 20 injuries.
'Terrorism and violence have no place in civil society, and we stand in solidarity with the innocent. This brutal act of terror has united the entire world and galvanised support for the Indian government to hold those responsible to bring those responsible for this terror act so that the victims and their families get justice. Our hearts are with the families of the victims whose lives were so cruelly ended by bullets,' said Mandal.
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