“Nanak Naam Chardi Kala, Tere Bhane Sarbat Da Bhala” – the last line in the Sikh Ardas or prayer – calls for peace and prosperity for all humanity. In the past few days, many Sikhs in North India embodied this concept by helping Kashmiri Muslims who were trying to escape vigilante mobs following the Pulwama attack on 14 February.

International humanitarian organisation Khalsa Aid, local gurdwaras, and many individual Sikhs gave protection, food and shelter to the stranded Kashmiris and helped them reach their homes in Kashmir.

Several Kashmiris – those who were stranded as well as journalists and political leaders – expressed their love for the Sikh community for helping them in this difficult time. As a mark of their gratitude, Kashmiris have now offered all kinds of free services for Sikhs - from free medical treatment and education to free snow-bike rides in Gulmarg.

A cartoon by Greater Kashmir cartoonist Suhail Naqshbandi, which depicted a Sikh offering a helping hand to a drowning Kashmiri, went viral on social media.