Political parties, trade bodies and civil groups unite in a complete bandh across Kashmir in solidarity with victims of the Pahalgam attack; educational institutions shut as a precaution.
Rajouri, April 23: In response to the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam that claimed the lives of innocent tourists, all government and private schools in Rajouri district remained closed on Wednesday as a valley-wide shutdown took effect. The bandh was called by multiple political, religious, and civil organisations to protest the attack and express solidarity with the victims’ families.
The Chief Education Officer (CEO) of Rajouri issued a statement confirming the school closures, citing precautionary measures amid heightened tensions and the collective call for a shutdown.
Political and Civil Unity in Protest
From political parties to traders’ associations, a unified voice of condemnation and grief echoed across Kashmir. The Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Association announced a complete business shutdown, calling the attack “a death of humanity.”
“Islam doesn’t allow such atrocities. We are strongly against this violence. The shutdown is a message of peace and unity,” said Bashir Ahmad Kongposh, General Secretary of the association, speaking to ANI.
Similar protests were observed in Poonch, where business communities joined the bandh and held demonstrations demanding justice.
Political Response to the Attack
Major political parties in Jammu and Kashmir supported the bandh. The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) posted on X that it was joining the protest under the directive of party president Farooq Abdullah.
“We appeal to the people of J&K to ensure the hartal called by religious and social leaders is a complete success,” JKNC stated.
People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti also condemned the terror act, calling it “an attack on all of us,” while extending her party’s support to the strike.
The Jammu-Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) described the incident as “an assault on the very soul of Jammu and Kashmir” and stood in solidarity with the victims and their families.
Prominent separatist leader and All Parties Hurriyat Conference Chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, urged people to join the shutdown and peacefully protest against the “heinous crime.”
As the region reels from one of the worst terror incidents since the abrogation of Article 370, security remains tight, search operations are underway, and voices from all corners of the Valley have united in an unprecedented show of solidarity against violence.