Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association (JKHCBA), Srinagar, on Wednesday abstained from all court proceedings across the Valley to register strong protest over the brutal terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists.
In a statement, the Bar Association confirmed that legal work remained suspended in the Srinagar Wing of the J&K and Ladakh High Court and all subordinate courts and tribunals. The move was a mark of mourning and condemnation against what it described as a “barbaric and shameful act” against civilians.
To honour the victims, JKHCBA Srinagar held a condolence gathering at the Bar Room of the High Court. The event witnessed participation from several prominent legal figures, who stood in solidarity with the grieving families and demanded immediate justice.
Addressing the gathering, Bar President Waseem Gul said, “This heinous act is a dagger to the soul of Kashmir. We, the legal fraternity, are shattered by this cowardly attack. It is not just an attack on lives, but on the spirit of our people.”
Senior members of the Bar, including Mohsin Qadri and Abdul Rashid Malik, termed the attack as an “unforgivable assault on humanity” and stressed the need for preserving the region’s pluralistic identity.
Former judges and senior advocates including M.I. Dar, Mohammad Ashraf Malik and Jehangir Iqbal Ganai echoed the condemnation, while calling for collective efforts to defeat terrorism and safeguard the lives of innocents.
Following the condolence meeting, lawyers carried out a silent protest march from the Bar Room to the High Court’s main gate, demanding swift action against the attackers. Holding placards and walking in silence, the participants reflected the grief and outrage shared across Kashmir.
The Bar also extended its support to the Kashmir Bandh call by trade and civil society bodies, underlining the widespread public anger. The Jammu chapter of the Bar also suspended judicial work as part of a joint stand by the legal community across the Union Territory.
In its concluding message, JKHCBA Srinagar urged people to unite against the forces of violence and continue efforts to restore peace, justice, and the values of Kashmiriyat.
