SAN FRANCISCO (Diya TV) — In response to the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, that claimed the lives of 26 Hindu men, the United Hindu Council (UHC) has launched a public awareness campaign in the San Francisco Bay Area to highlight what it describes as the targeted killing of Hindus and to call attention to Pakistan’s alleged role in sponsoring terrorism.
The initiative, which began on June 2 with a large billboard near the San Mateo Bridge, features strong messaging aimed at separating India’s democratic identity from Pakistan’s alleged support for terror groups. One of the billboards reads: “India stands for Humanity and Pakistan for Terrorism. Do not equate a terror-sponsoring state like Pakistan, which harbored Osama Bin Laden, with India—the world’s largest and most diverse democracy.”
Another billboard poses a provocative question: “The victims in Pahalgam were killed because they were Hindus, so does terrorism have a religion?” Viewers are then presented with checkbox options for “YES” and “NO.”
According to a UHC spokesperson, the campaign seeks to raise awareness about what the group sees as a “global silence” on the religious targeting of Hindus, particularly in Kashmir. “We will not let the memory of those killed in Pahalgam be erased by propaganda or political expediency,” the organization said in a public statement. “The world must confront the reality of Pakistan’s role as a state sponsor of terror.”
The terror attack in Pahalgam, which occurred late last month, reportedly involved Pakistan-based militants targeting Hindu pilgrims traveling through the region, though official investigations are still ongoing. While no group has formally claimed responsibility, Indian authorities have pointed to cross-border militant groups with historic ties to Pakistan’s intelligence services as the likely perpetrators.
UHC’s campaign points viewers to a website, www.PakistanTerrorism.com, which offers more details on the Pahalgam incident, past attacks on Hindu communities, and what the organization describes as “the systematic persecution and genocide of Kashmiri Hindus under centuries of foreign occupation.” The site also alleges ongoing state-sponsored terrorism by Pakistan, citing events and patterns dating back several decades.
The billboard campaign is part of a broader effort by the Hindu American community in California to push back against what they see as misrepresentations of geopolitical conflicts in South Asia. UHC is calling on Indian American groups, human rights organizations, policymakers, and the media to join its advocacy efforts.
The United Hindu Council, based in the U.S., describes itself as an organization committed to promoting Hindu values such as peace, inclusivity, and mutual respect. The group’s stated mission includes combating misinformation about Hinduism and fostering cross-cultural understanding.
While the campaign has sparked discussions on community forums and social media, it is also likely to raise concerns about rising religious polarization, especially amid ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan. Critics of such messaging argue that public campaigns should focus on unity and de-escalation rather than amplifying nationalistic or sectarian divides. UHC maintains that its message is one of truth-telling and remembrance, not provocation.
As of now, the billboards remain in place and are expected to stay up for several weeks, potentially reaching tens of thousands of Bay Area commuters each day. The UHC says more locations may follow depending on the campaign’s response and public engagement.
