Dhubri’s streets transformed into a canvas of grief and resistance as artists took to walls and lanes with powerful imagery protesting the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. The attack, which left 28 tourists dead, has drawn nationwide condemnation, but in this small town in Assam, paintbrushes and spray cans have become the voice of anger, mourning, and resilience.
Local artists began gathering at the heart of Dhubri early Thursday morning. They created evocative murals portraying the pain and trauma of those affected by the terror strike. Figures of grieving families, shattered landscapes, and symbolic motifs of peace intermingled with depictions of destruction and terror. Passersby stood in silence, many with tears in their eyes, as the images spoke of a tragedy too deep for words.
Lead artist Abdul Kalam, who runs a small art collective in the town, said the group wanted to express solidarity with the victims in the most impactful way they could. He explained that street art offered an immediate and emotional connection. He added that they didn’t want the attack to become just another headline. “We wanted the country to remember the faces behind the numbers,” he said.
Many of the murals featured children, drawing attention to the innocent lives lost in the senseless violence. One particularly striking artwork showed a child’s outstretched hand painted red, symbolizing both the blood spilled and the hope for justice. Beneath it, the words “Stop the Silence” stood stark in bold black.
Students from nearby colleges also joined the protest. Some helped paint, while others handed out candles and wrote poetry beside the murals. College student Sreema Borthakur said the attack made her feel helpless, but participating in the artistic protest gave her a sense of purpose. “We are angry, but we also want peace. This is our way of speaking up,” she said.
Organizers said they received overwhelming support from the local community. Shopkeepers near the protest site temporarily shut their stores and offered drinking water and snacks to the artists. Local police allowed the peaceful protest to continue without interference, recognizing its non-violent and expressive nature.
The protest gained further momentum on social media. Photos of the artwork spread quickly, drawing attention from people across the country. Hashtags like #DhubriPaintsForPeace and #PahalgamMemorialWall began trending by afternoon. People from other parts of Assam also reached out to the collective, expressing interest in organizing similar protests in their own districts.
The attack in Pahalgam has left deep scars, particularly among the families of the victims, some of whom hailed from Assam. The state government has already announced ex-gratia compensation for the families. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed his outrage over the incident and assured that the state would support all efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice.
In this context, the Dhubri protest adds a powerful grassroots dimension to the national outrage. While government authorities continue diplomatic and military responses to the cross-border threat, the people of Assam have found an emotional outlet through creative resistance.
Artists plan to keep the murals intact for as long as possible. Some residents have proposed converting the wall into a permanent peace memorial. Abdul Kalam said that the goal was to ensure that those who walk by never forget what happened in Pahalgam. “We want this wall to remind people that even in grief, there is courage. Even in silence, there is protest,” he said.
As the sun set over Dhubri, the murals glowed under the streetlights, silently bearing witness to a collective sorrow and an unyielding call for peace. In paint and poetry, the town made its stand — bold, mournful, and unshakably human.
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