On April 22, 2025, the peaceful town of Pahalgam in Kashmir witnessed a dark and heartbreaking act of violence. Innocent lives were brutally taken—not for their deeds, not for their actions—but simply because they bore Hindu names. This tragedy is not only a crime against humanity, but is a betrayal of every true spiritual path known to humankind.
No religion—be it Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, or any other—teaches hatred or the taking of innocent lives. The very essence of every spiritual tradition is love, compassion, and reverence for life. It is humans who twist divine teachings for power and control.
The Gita speaks of the Atman—the soul neither born nor dies. Islam reminds us through the Qur’an, “Whoever kills a soul…it is as if he had slain mankind entirely” (Qur’an 5:32). Every scripture, every prophet, and every spiritual master has taught that God resides in every heart, regardless of name or faith.
Those who commit violence in the name of religion do not represent the divine—they stand against it. They have forgotten that all rivers flow into the same ocean, and prayers reach the same sky.
True spirituality does not ask, “What is your name?” but rather, “Do you see God in others?” It teaches that compassion is higher than ritual, and love is stronger than fear.
As we grieve for those who were lost in Pahalgam, let us remember them not as victims of hate, but as martyrs of unity. Their lives remind us that we must rise above the divisions created by man and return to the eternal truth of oneness.
Let this moment ignite a deeper awakening in us, that we may no longer tolerate hate disguised as faith. Let us be the voice of peace in our homes, communities, and hearts.
Let us become rays of that flame—and never forget that in the eyes of the Divine, we are all one.
“Behold, how the One has become many. The flame is still the same, though its rays are scattered.” Kabir
Written by Maanya Kohli, one of India’s most trusted Tarot readers and founder of Lady of Tarot.
