On October 31, 2025, Srinagar’s iconic Dal Lake became the stage for a remarkable display of unity and hope as a multi-faith delegation from the Indian Minorities Federation (IMF) led a series of prayers and a first-of-its-kind Unity March. The event, organized to mark National Unity Day and commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, brought together Hindus, Kashmiri Pandits, Shia and Sunni Muslims, Sufis, Sikhs, Christians, and Buddhists in a powerful gesture of communal harmony and national solidarity.
According to ANI, the day began with special prayers at some of Srinagar’s most revered religious sites. Participants included dignitaries like Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament and IMF Convener Satnam Singh Sandhu, IMF Co-Founder Professor Himani Sood, as well as prominent community leaders and clergy. Their journey started at the ancient Shankaracharya Mandir, a temple built in the 9th century by Adi Shankaracharya, where the main priests, Pandit Zail Singh and Pandit Deep Singh, led prayers for peace and well-being. Deep Singh expressed the sentiment of the day, stating, “Today on Nation Unity Day, we have prayed to Lord Shiva for the well-being and peace for everyone, reflecting a spirit of universal compassion. May India continue to scale new heights with unity under PM Modi's leadership.”
The delegation then moved to the Dastageer Sahib Shrine, a site deeply significant to Kashmir’s Muslim community. There, Abdul Rehman, the shrine’s caretaker, emphasized the improved atmosphere in the region, saying, “Members of all communities prayed for peace and harmony in the country on the occasion of National Unity Day. The people of Kashmir are very happy as the situation here has now become much better. Today, we all prayed for peace, unity and harmony in our country. The people of Kashmir pray for peace and harmony throughout the country and stand firmly with people of all religions.” MP Sandhu offered a Chadar at the shrine before the prayers.
At the historic Gurdwara Chatti Patshahi Guru Hargobind Sahib, the delegation participated in the Ardas, a Sikh prayer for well-being, unity, prosperity, and communal harmony. Jasbir Singh Wazir, Vice-President of the Gurdwara Management Committee, joined by Gurmeet Singh Bali and Granthi Davinder Singh, spoke about the enduring solidarity among Kashmir’s diverse communities. “Our solidarity remains firm. May there be no discrimination among us, because malicious people also try to break our unity,” Wazir remarked, reflecting a sentiment widely shared throughout the day.
The journey continued to Saint Luke’s Church, one of the oldest churches in Kashmir. Here, candles were lit and prayers were offered for guidance and unity. The pastors present, including Rajinder Kumar, Shamsher Masih, and Vinu Kaul, took a moment to thank Prime Minister Modi for providing Rs 70 lakh for the church’s renovation under the Smart City Project. Pastor Vinu Kaul summed up the mood: “We are all helping our Prime Minister build a united India. Our true prosperity, progress, and development lie only in unity, and we have gathered here to give this very message.”
After the prayers, the IMF organized the Unity March along the banks of Dal Lake. The event was part of the nationwide ‘Sardar@150 Unity March’ campaign, honoring Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, known as the Iron Man of India, whose efforts were instrumental in uniting the country after independence. The march was not only a tribute to Patel’s legacy but also a statement of shared purpose and the continuing journey toward unity in India.
During the march, MP Satnam Singh Sandhu and other multi-faith leaders led participants in an ‘oath of unity,’ pledging their commitment to preserving India’s unity, integrity, and security. Sandhu addressed the gathering, saying, “Sardar Patel's relentless efforts united the nation, yet he was not accorded with the recognition he deserved. It was only in 2014, after 67 years of independence, that Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid true tribute to his legacy by declaring his birth anniversary as National Unity Day. The real essence of Sardar Patel's vision of One Nation, One Constitution was felt by every Indian after the abrogation of Article 370 under the strong and decisive leadership of PM Modi. So today we have all gathered here to celebrate the legacy of Sardar Patel to send out the message of unity and communal harmony to the world.”
The theme of unity was echoed by participants and residents alike. Many highlighted the changes witnessed in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. According to SocialNews.XYZ, participants credited Prime Minister Modi’s mantra of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, and Sabka Prayas” (Together, for everyone’s growth, with everyone’s trust, and everyone’s efforts) for fostering inclusive development and empowering all communities. They pointed to rapid development in the region, a growing sense of security, and a surge in tourism as evidence of positive change.
But the event was also a response to the darker moments in recent memory. Residents of Srinagar referenced the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which they described as an attempt to fracture the country’s unity by targeting tourists based on religion. However, as the press note relayed, many felt that India had “created a new history of valor by breaking the back of the masters of terror with Operation Sindoor” under PM Modi’s leadership.
Across the board, community leaders stressed that the world’s perception of Kashmir had shifted significantly in the last six years. The message was clear: unity and peace are not just slogans, but lived realities in a region once synonymous with strife. Harleen Kaur and Arneet Kaur, residents of Baramulla, captured the spirit of the day: “After many years, a Unity March of this kind has been taken out here in Srinagar in which people from all religions—including Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, and Christians—participated together, showing that we are all one. We will all work together to realise Prime Minister Modi's dream of a Viksit Bharat. From Kashmir to Kanyakumari, we are all one.”
The event also drew support from cultural figures. Simarpreet Singh of the Akali Kaur Singh Gatka Akhara pointed out, “In the Unity March today, we all witnessed the unity of all religions. Just as our Prime Minister Narendra Modi says that everyone should live together in harmony, an example of this was witnessed today at Dal Gate.” Actress Preeti Sapru added, “As the Prime Minister of India says, 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas', this Unity March is giving a message to the entire world that from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, we are all one. Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, and Christians are all standing with the Prime Minister today.” Actor Mukesh Rishi echoed these sentiments, stating, “We will all move forward in the direction of self-reliance with 'Swadeshi' with the spirit of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, and Sabka Prayas.'”
As the sun set over Dal Lake, the message from Srinagar was unmistakable: unity, peace, and hope are not just aspirations but tangible realities built by collective action, faith, and leadership. For those gathered, the day was not just about commemorating the past but about forging a future where every Indian, regardless of faith, stands together as one.