The recent terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed the lives of 26 brave individuals, including Karna resident Lt. Vinay Narwal, has shaken the conscience of the nation. The pain is deep, the loss irreparable. Yet, in the midst of this collective grief, a powerful voice of compassion has emerged — that of Himanshi, Lt. Narwal’s newly-wedded wife. Her appeal for communal unity is a reminder of the values that must guide us in these dark times: peace, justice, and above all, humanity. In her words — “We want peace and only peace. Along with justice of course. But we don’t want people to harm Muslims and Kashmiris” — lies a message the entire nation must heed. The attack was not just an assault on individuals; it was an assault on the idea of India — a diverse, pluralistic society where people of different faiths and communities coexist. To respond to this with hatred or by vilifying entire communities would be to betray the very values the victims lived — and died — for. Terrorism, by its nature, seeks to divide. Its goal is not just to kill, but to polarize — to create a climate of fear and distrust where suspicion replaces solidarity. When we begin to equate an entire religion or region with terror, we do exactly what the perpetrators want: we fracture as a nation. We sow divisions where there should be unity. This is neither justice nor strength — it is surrender to the objectives of terror. It is critical, therefore, that we distinguish between those who commit violence and the innocent communities they seek to misrepresent. The overwhelming majority of Muslims and Kashmiris are peaceful citizens who are as heartbroken and angry about these attacks as anyone else in India. Many have lost their lives too, fighting terrorism or falling victim to its cruelty. Justice must be pursued — swiftly, firmly, and lawfully. The perpetrators and their backers must face the full force of the law. But vengeance aimed at the innocent only breeds more injustice. It damages our social fabric, and it dishonours the memory of those we have lost. As the country mourns Lt. Narwal and the others who died in Pahalgam, let us honour their sacrifice not just with our sorrow, but with our commitment to unity. Let us listen to the plea of a young widow who, despite unbearable loss, still chooses peace over hate. Let not terror define who we become. Let our humanity do that.