On the occasion of Independence Day, an unprecedented sight unfolded in the valleys of Kashmir. The special Tricolour and Harmony March in Pahalgam, organised by the Muslim Rashtriya Manch (MRM) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), filled the valley with the colours of the national flag.
Every hand held the tricolour, every heart beat with patriotism, and every voice chanted ‘Jai Hind Mata Ki’. This march was not merely a procession but a powerful declaration that Kashmir is, and will always remain, an integral part of India.
A Message of Unity Across Religion and Nation
The march sent a clear message that Hindus and Muslims are never separate. Both communities are linked through the nation, humanity, ancestral traditions, the national flag, citizenship, and law.
Regardless of historical events or present-day challenges, these communities have always stood together and cannot be divided.
This march symbolised this unbreakable unity, conveying a message of brotherhood and shared responsibility to all Indians. It disproved the notion that Hindus and Muslims cannot coexist, affirming that they have lived together for centuries, do so today, and will continue to do so.
A Strong Display of India’s Unity and Integrity
The significance of this march extended beyond local boundaries, reaching all of India and the world.
The voices rising from Pahalgam’s picturesque valleys were clear – terrorism and separatism are relics of the past; the present and future belong to peace, development, and harmony.
The combined efforts of both Muslim and Hindu communities demonstrated that India’s true strength lies in unity within diversity.
Slogans like ‘Har Ghar Tiranga, Har Dil Hindustan’ filled the air with patriotic fervour throughout the event.
Rakhi Ceremony for Soldiers – A Message of Brotherhood
After the Pahalgam march, MRM workers visited the 185 CRPF Camp in Lathpura, near the Commando Office. They tied rakhi (sacred thread) on the wrists of soldiers guarding the nation, symbolising that the daughters and sisters of India always pray for their safety and well-being.
Female activists and young girls applied a tilak and tied rakhis, while the soldiers emotionally expressed that it felt like celebrating Raksha Bandhan with family.
This moment was not just a festive celebration but a testament to the bond between India’s citizens and its armed forces – a bond rooted in family, emotion, and duty.
RSS Leader Indresh Kumar – Kashmir, India’s Crown
Indresh Kumar, senior member of the RSS National Executive, stated during the march that “Kashmir is the crown of India and will always remain so.”
He added, “The roots of terrorism and separatism have weakened. Today’s march sends a clear message that Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) is also part of India and will one day return under the shadow of the tricolour. No power can break India’s unity and sovereignty.”
His words inspired the youth and common people of the valley, affirming that Kashmir is changing and reconnecting with India’s mainstream.
MRM National Coordinator Mohammad Afzal – Uniting Kashmir’s Soul with India’s Heartbeat
Mohammad Afzal, National Coordinator of MRM, emphasised that the purpose of the march was to weave Kashmir’s soul and India’s heartbeat into one.
He said, “Today, the activists of MRM and the people of Kashmir are proving that India’s spirit resonates in Kashmir just as strongly as in Delhi, Mumbai, or Chennai. Every home with the tricolour and every heart devoted to India – that is our goal.”
Afzal’s statement highlights that the Muslim community is not only a part of India’s integrity but also stands at the forefront of its protection.
Abu Bakar Naqvi – Hindus and Muslims Protecting the Nation Together
MRM leader Abu Bakar Naqvi stated that the initiative demonstrates how Hindus and Muslims together safeguard India’s unity and integrity.
“This march sends a message globally to those who wish to divide India. Indian Muslims and Hindus stand united, working together for an undivided India,” he said. Naqvi presented the march as a warning to powers attempting to challenge India’s unity.
Prof Shahid Akhtar – Kashmir, Cultural Heritage and the Nation’s Soul
Professor Shahid Akhtar highlighted Kashmir’s historical and cultural significance, stating, “Kashmir is not merely a geographical region but India’s soul and cultural heritage. It is the land where sages, Sufis, and saints preached brotherhood and humanity. Terrorism is not Kashmir’s identity; peace and love are its true traditions. The dream of an undivided India will only be fulfilled when the echoes of brotherhood from this land reach the world again.”
Dr Shalini Ali – One Nation, One Citizenship, One Flag
Dr Shalini Ali, National Coordinator of MRM, described the march as a movement.
“Our nation is one, our flag is one, and our citizenship is one. We were, are, and will always remain Indians. Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is also ours and will one day become part of undivided Kashmir under the Indian flag,” she said, referencing campaigns like “Har Ghar Tiranga.”
The march stood as a symbol of India’s unity and pride.
Qari Abrar Jamal – Islam’s Message of Peace and Brotherhood
Religious scholar Qari Abrar Jamal said, “The true message of Islam is peace and brotherhood, and MRM has conveyed this to the world through this march. Tying rakhi to soldiers is not merely symbolic but a testament that Indian Muslims consider this land their mother. When Muslim sisters tie rakhis, it symbolises that both our culture and faith are devoted to protecting the nation.”
He emphasised that the march successfully dispelled misconceptions about Muslims having separate loyalties.
The march included activists and local residents like Reshma Hussain, SK Mudeen, Islam Abbas, Mohammad Farooq, Mir Nazir, Shiraz Qureshi, Dr Salim Raj, Shaista Khan, Thakur Raja Rais, Hafiz Sabreen, Mohammad Imran, Faiz Khan, and many others.
Their unified voice was that Kashmir’s true identity lies not in terrorism but in peace, harmony, and development, lending greater strength and significance to the event.
From History to Present – Kashmir’s Changing Face
Kashmir has long been affected by terrorism and separatism. But times are changing. Today, the message is clear – Kashmir’s true identity is not violence but brotherhood and humanity.
The march reaffirmed the legacy of the freedom struggle when people of all religions and communities came together to protect Bharat Mata.
A Message of Global Peace
The Pahalgam Tricolour and Harmony March was not just an event but a proclamation of India’s soul. After tying rakhis on the soldiers at Lathpura 185 CRPF Camp, the message became even more resonant – India’s real strength lies in its unity amidst diversity.
The voices rising from Kashmir – ‘Our nation is one, our flag is one’ – will serve as a foundation for India’s integrity and a beacon of peace and brotherhood for the world in the years to come.
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