Widespread condemnation for attack in Kashmir at ‘Uri’ screening

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A group of NRI organizations came together, organized by Pramod Bhagat of India World Foundation (IWF), including members of the Overseas Friends of BJP (OFBJP), and HindiUSA, to screen the blockbuster Hindi film ‘Uri, to raise awareness of terrorism faced by India on its borders, and the bravery and courage of the Indian armed forces in defending the country, and maintaining dignity.

The film ‘Uri’, based on surgical strikes carried by the Indian armed forces in PoK, was screened in Parsippany, NJ, and over 350 guests attended it. Speakers at the screening included Padma Shri Dr. Sudhir Parikh, the Founder and Chairman of Parikh Worldwide Media, and his wife, Dr. Sudha Parikh.

Other prominent attendees included Raj Mittal (Hindi USA), Vasant Naik, Manak Kabra, Krishna Reddy (from OFBJP), Vilas Reddy, Dev Karlekar, Rajyalakshmi, Gayatri Pandey, Kaplana Shukla, Sunit Shukla, and Nayan Shah, according to the organizers.

“Today, the community is saddened by the cowardly attack by Islamic terrorists backed by Pakistan,” said Bhagat, in a statement, on the recent terrorist attack by Pakistan-based terrorist organization, jaish-e-Mohammed, in Kashmir.

“It has stunned our Global NRI community. The Overseas Friends of BJP (OFBJP-USA) is deeply saddened by the dastardly attack on India’s CRPF personnel in the Jammu and Kashmir state of India by the Pakistan based terrorist organization, Jaish-a-Mohammad,” he added.

OFBJP President Krishna Reddy Anugula offered his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families of the military personnel on behalf of the Indian diaspora and he said that prayers are being held for speedy recovery of the injured and giving strength the bereaved families.

Dr. Adapa Prasad, Vice President of OFBJP, said that “this is a cowardly act of the terrorist organization headed by Maulana Masood Azhar, the blue-eyed boy of Pakistan’s spy agency, ISI.” He lauded the Modi government’s resolve of giving back a fitting reply to this beastly act.

“Indian diaspora is with our security personnel and their families in this hour of need,” said Vasudev Patel, Organizing Secretary, said in a statement.

The OFBJP-USA said it has demanded that United Nations should designate the mastermind behind the attacks Masood Azhar as a global terrorist, and added, “China should be ashamed of itself in blocking Azhar’s ban at the UN”.

It said the Indian diaspora demanded that if Pakistan is sincere in seeking peace with India, it should arrest Maulana Masood Azhar and his cohorts and disband all terrorist organization stations in Pakistan.

“Pakistan is a pariah nation anyhow and if it wants to exist in the real world, it should not play games, resort to lies, and abet terrorism. It should get rid of all terrorist organization from its soil,” it added.

“I am really proud and privileged to support this initiative of the India World Foundation, the OFBJP and HindiUSA. This is really a great initiative and it is the only way to empower our young generation of Indian Americans and connect them to Mother India. This is the first initiative to bring them to watch a patriotic film so they can understand what India stands for and how difficult it is for the country to protect its freedom, especially after what has happened in Kashmir,” Padma Shri Dr. Sudhir Parikh, said, speaking at the screening, to ITV Gold.

“We are so proud of our soldiers and their bravery,” said Dr. Sudha Parikh, speaking at the meet, to ITV Gold.

“We have screened the film ‘URI: The Surgical Strike’ here today, which was watched by about 375 people. Though we came to watch the film, it reminded us of the Kashmir attack which recently occurred and gave the victims a tribute. We are very saddened by this incident and we hope and request Prime Minister Narendra Modi to conduct a second surgical strike on Pakistan,” said Raj Mittal, who is on the Board of Directors, HindiUSA.