2 weeks Ago By Mashable India
India is reeling from the horrific terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of at least 28 innocent tourists and left over 60 injured on 22 April 2025. The brutal assault, now infamously known as the Pahalgam Massacre of Hindu Tourists, has sparked widespread outrage, with citizens, celebrities, sports figures, and politicians expressing their grief and anger on social media. Among those condemning the attack are Munawar Faruqui and Salim Merchant.
Merchant shared a heartfelt video on Instagram, condemning the attack. In the video, he expressed profound shame and anguish, stating, “The innocent people who were killed in Pahalgam were because they were Hindus and not Muslims. Are the killers Muslims? No, they’re terrorists.
Because Islam doesn’t teach this. In the Quran Sharif, Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 256, it is said that there is no compulsion in religion. This is written in the Quran Sharif.
” He further added, “As a Muslim, I’m ashamed to see that innocent Hindu brothers and sisters are being brutally killed just because they’re Hindus. When will this end? People living in Kashmir who were managing well for the past two to three years are facing problems again. I don’t know how to express my grief and anger.
” Closing his message, he prayed for the victims, saying, “I pray with my head bowed, for the innocent people who lost their lives. May God give strength and prosperity to them and their families. Om Shanti.
” The video quickly went viral, amassing thousands of shares across social platforms, with fans flooding the comment section with heartbroken and crying emojis, praising Salim’s courage for speaking out. A post shared by Salim Merchant (@salimmerchant) Munawar Faruqui joined the wave of condemnation by resharing Salim Merchant’s video on his Instagram Stories, captioning it with a single, resounding word: “Facts!” This act of solidarity amplified the message, reflecting his alignment with Salim’s sentiments. Faruqui also took to social media to express his own outrage, posting, “Find them, Hang them!!!” alongside a heartbreak emoji, demanding swift justice for the perpetrators.
His post, which noted that 26 people, including two foreign tourists, lost their lives, went viral, though it also sparked mixed reactions. While some netizens hailed him as a “true Indian Muslim” for his stance, others trolled him, with comments like, “These are your own people killing Hindus.” A post shared by Munawar Faruqui (@munawar.
faruqui) The tragic incident occurred in the Baisaran Meadow, just five kilometers from the popular hill station of Pahalgam in the Anantnag district. Terrorists opened fire on a group of unsuspecting tourists, targeting them based on their religious identity, as eyewitnesses reported the attackers asking victims about their religion before shooting. The massacre plunged India into mourning, with videos circulating online, including one of a grieving bride clutching her husband’s body and another of traumatized tourists mistaking Indian Army soldiers for attackers in the chaos.
The attack, seen as an attempt to destabilize the region’s growing tourism and stability, has drawn comparisons to the insurgencies of the early 2000s. See Also: Akshay Kumar, Vicky Kaushal And More Bollywood Stars React To Pahalgam Terror Attack: 'Can't Be Forgiven..
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