Prasang 86
Akshardham Response
September 24, 2002, is etched in history in two ways—first, as the day of the tragic terrorist attack on Gandhinagar Akshardham, and second, as a testament to Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s profound stability and unwavering compassion, even in the face of terror.
When a brutal act of terrorism hits home, it is natural to feel fear and turmoil. But instead of succumbing to distress, Swamishri remained calm and focused, guiding devotees and well-wishers toward peace. His ability to maintain serenity, empathize with the suffering, and inspire self-restraint was not that of an ordinary human—it was the mark of a divine being.
At 4:50 PM, while Swamishri was in Sārangpur, he received the shocking news via phone. At that moment, he was engrossed in a meeting regarding Kutch’s earthquake relief and rehabilitation efforts. Without even a hint of panic, he simply said, “Terrorists are in Akshardham. There’s been a lot of violence. Let’s all pray that no one else gets hurt, that peace returns, and that they catch the people responsible.”
He then immediately immersed himself in prayer. Calls began pouring in from the President of India and dignitaries around the world, offering their condolences and concern. Meanwhile, Swamishri stayed in constant contact with those handling the crisis in Gandhinagar. By 9:00 PM, almost all visitors had been safely evacuated except those in the multimedia theater. Due to the continued gunfire from the terrorists, officials decided to keep the remaining visitors safe inside overnight.
When Swamishri was informed of this late at night, he promptly arranged for them to have water, tea, snacks, and restroom facilities—displaying leadership and deep personal care for every soul affected by the incident.
Even amid this chaos, Swamishri remained vigilant about one crucial aspect—ensuring that the response to the attack did not spiral into revenge-driven violence. He stayed awake the entire night, closely monitoring the situation. At 12:35 AM, he was informed that a young swami, Pujya Parmeshwardas Swami, had been killed by the terrorists’ bullets. Swamishri deeply grieved for the loss. But in that exact moment, his mind also foresaw the potential consequences—When people learn that a swami has been killed, their emotions will surge. Anger will rise, and Gujarat may once again descend into unrest. Realizing this, Swamishri immediately issued appeals for peace through newspapers and television. His appeal had an extraordinary impact. For two consecutive days, Gujarat and India observed a voluntary shutdown. Even a vast metropolis like Mumbai came to a standstill. World leaders grew concerned—Would this shutdown trigger further violence? But to everyone’s astonishment, Swamishri’s call for peace prevailed. Even in sensitive regions like Ahmedabad, there was no major outbreak of violence. People demonstrated immense restraint, and leaders worldwide credited Swamishri for this remarkable outcome.
The attack on Akshardham, a revered place of worship, was an intolerable wound for many. It was a painful strike against Hindu sentiments. However, Swamishri’s voice remained calm and unifying: “This is a time for unity and compassion. Pray that such brutality never occurs anywhere, to anyone.” For him, the well-being of all humanity was of the utmost importance.
A well-known leader of a major organization told Swamishri, “Swami! If you had even slightly indicated otherwise, people would have reacted violently. But because of your appeal, Gujarat and India remain at peace today.”
At an international conference on terrorism in Germany, world experts praised Swamishri’s calm and patient approach, coining the term “Akshardham Response” to describe his extraordinary handling of terrorism through peace, stability, and nonviolence.
Even when disasters strike, our Gurus have taught us how to respond—with unwavering faith, unshakable stability, and universal compassion. This is the proper response to adversity—the Akshardham Response.
