A day after 26 people died in a dastardly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, people from all walks of life in Delhi came together to express solidarity with the victims through candlelight marches and protests on Wednesday. Traders’ bodies on Wednesday called for a Delhi bandh on April 25 as a mark of protest against the Pahalgam terror attack and to express solidarity with the victims. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) held a candlelight vigil at Jantar Mantar, where the party’s Delhi unit chief Saurabh Bharadwaj condemned the terror strike, the deadliest in the Kashmir Valley since the 2019 Pulwama attack. “Terrorists never attacked tourists in Kashmir before. This is the first time such an incident has taken place. All the victims were innocent. The entire country is grieving. The government must take strict action against the perpetrators,” Bharadwaj said. The Congress’ youth wing held a candle march at its Raisina Road office.

Several traders’ associations across the national capital also joined in the condemnation, staging protests with black ribbons tied around their arms. They announced a Delhi Bandh on April 25 and held their own candlelight march. In a post on X, the New Delhi Traders’ Association (NDTA) said, “We condemn the heinous and cowardly act of violence and terrorism perpetrated in Pahalgam yesterday, targeting innocent lives. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families who suffered unimaginable loss.”

During the demonstration, protesters held placards with slogans such as ‘Doshiyon ke khilaf karwayi karo’ (take action against the guilty), ‘Begunahon ka balidaan nahi sahega Hindustan’ (India will not tolerate the sacrifice of innocents) and ‘Katleaam band karo’ (Stop the massacre). They also carried posters featuring photos of the victims and their families, which had been circulating online.

The Chandni Chowk Traders Association held a demonstration outside the Town Hall, while the Federation of Sadar Bazaar Traders protested near Qutub Road.  Paramjit Singh Pamma, president of the Federation of Sadar Bazaar Traders, expressed deep sorrow over the incident, stating that the attack had shaken the entire nation.

“We are a country with diverse religions, but terrorism knows no religion. A terrorist is a terrorist,” said Rakesh Kumar Yadav, Secretary of the Federation of Sadar Bazaar Traders.

The traders’ associations have called on the central government to take strong and decisive action against terrorism.

Rajiv Batra, president of the Chandni Chowk Traders Association, said, “We want strict action against those behind this terror attack. We stand with the government and support their efforts.”

 Sanjiv Mehra, president of the Khan Market Traders Association, announced that the market would be closed on Thursday in solidarity with the victims. The traders also plan to hold a candlelight march.

Condemnation of the terror attack also echoed in universities across Delhi. At Jawaharlal Nehru University, all major student unions -- the RSS-backed ABVP, Congress-affiliated NSUI, and the left-leaning AISF -- came together for a joint candle march inside the campus to condemn the attack.

Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) offered a poignant tribute to victims by linking their Earth Day observance with the tragedy. The university planted 26 trees -- one for each life lost -- in the front lawns of its administrative block. “Jamia Millia Islamia condemns the heinous terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam and extends deep condolences to the (bereaved) families,” the university said in a statement. It also announced that the memorial trees would receive proper upkeep and the university would hold an annual remembrance event to honour the victims.

The Delhi Vyapar Mahasangh expressed deep sorrow and anger over the killing of innocent tourists in what it described as a peaceful region.

According to it, the call for a bandh has been supported by nearly all major trade bodies in the city. The move is intended to express solidarity with the victims and condemn the violence that has shaken the nation, it said. “We request all traders, shopkeepers, and business owners to voluntarily shut their establishments on April 25 as a mark of respect to the victims and to send a strong message that acts of terrorism are unacceptable,” the trader body said in a statement.