Sudha Jagannathan described the attack as 'unprovoked,' stating it has devastated families, leaving behind widows, orphans, and deep grief.

At a Las Vegas City Council meeting on May 7, Sudha Jagannathan, who serves on the board of the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA), urged city officials to denounce the terror attack that occurred in Pahalgam, Kashmir, on April 22, which claimed the lives of 26 tourists.

Jagannathan, a local resident of Las Vegas, took the opportunity to speak during the public comments section. Representing the Hindu community in the area, she emphasized the emotional impact the incident has had on many members.

'Our community is still grappling with the aftermath of the horrific tragedy that unfolded in Kashmir on April 22,' she told the council. 'Some of those killed were known to us personally. They were simply vacationers enjoying the day—targeted and killed because of their faith.'

The attack took place in the picturesque region of Pahalgam, situated in Jammu and Kashmir—a place long affected by cycles of violence and unrest.

Jagannathan recounted distressing details from eyewitness testimonies. 'Male victims were reportedly ordered to unzip their trousers so the attackers could check for circumcision—a crude and inhumane way of determining religious identity,' she said.

She reiterated that the attack was entirely without provocation, noting that it left behind devastated families. Among the victims, she mentioned, were newlyweds who had been married just a week before the tragedy.

In her appeal to the council, Jagannathan asked them to not only denounce the brutal killings but also to express solidarity with the affected families and the broader global community. 'Let’s make sure we never remain silent when such atrocities occur,' she said.

Jagannathan also shared how the local Hindu community had responded since the attack. 'We held a peaceful rally last week to honor the victims,' she said, 'and chose to move forward with a planned event to celebrate educators in Las Vegas and Henderson.'

This event, Guru Vandana, a teacher appreciation ceremony, was held on May 5. Jagannathan expressed gratitude to the Las Vegas City Council for officially recognizing the occasion through a proclamation.

'I wanted to make sure our voice was heard here today,' she concluded. 'And I’m grateful to know the city supports us, just as we support our wider community.'