New Delhi, April 24, 2025 – Renowned music composer Salim Merchant has spoken out with deep emotion and anguish following the horrific terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir. In a heartfelt video message shared on his official Instagram account, the composer condemned the violence that claimed the lives of 26 innocent tourists and expressed sorrow, anger, and shame over the religiously motivated brutality.
Visibly shaken, Salim addressed the tragedy with a heavy heart, saying, “The people who were killed in Pahalgam were targeted simply because they were Hindus. This was not an act of religion—it was an act of pure terrorism. To call the killers Muslims is not just wrong, it is dangerous. Islam never teaches hatred or bloodshed. These people are not Muslims—they are murderers. They are terrorists.”
Taking a powerful stand against the misuse of religion to justify violence, Salim invoked a verse from the Quran to emphasize the true message of Islam. Quoting Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 256, he said, “It is clearly written in the Quran: ‘There is no compulsion in religion.’ This is not just a verse—it is a principle, a foundation of Islamic belief. Using religion as an excuse to kill innocent people goes against everything Islam stands for.”
The attack, which took place on April 22 at a scenic meadow near Pahalgam, targeted tourists, many of whom were visiting to witness the valley’s natural beauty. The gunfire that erupted from the treeline turned a peaceful retreat into a nightmare, cutting short lives and leaving families devastated.
Reflecting on the pain this event has caused across the country, Salim added, “It hurts me deeply, as a human being and as a Muslim, that my Hindu brothers and sisters were slaughtered in cold blood simply for their identity. This is not the Kashmir we hoped to see. This is not the future we wanted for our children. Kashmir had started to heal… and then this happened.”
Fighting back tears, Salim said, “Today, I feel ashamed. I feel helpless. I feel like something precious has been torn from us. There are no words strong enough to comfort the families, no explanations that can make sense of such evil.”
He ended his video message with a prayer: “May God give strength to the families who have suffered this unbearable loss. May peace find its way back to their hearts. I pray for their healing. I pray for unity. I pray for peace. Om Shanti.”
Shortly after posting the video, Salim also shared a written tribute to the victims in a moving Instagram post. “Kashmir, a land known for its breathtaking beauty and poetic soul, has once again been scarred by violence,” he wrote. “The silence of its mountains has been shattered by gunfire. The dreams of families, tourists, and children have been turned into ashes. I mourn for every life lost, every home broken.”
He continued, “There are no quick words of comfort, no easy way to process this kind of tragedy. But we must not give up hope. We must believe that one day, hatred will be silenced by understanding, that cruelty will be overcome by compassion, and that love will echo again through the valleys of Kashmir.”
The video has since gone viral, drawing support from fans, fellow musicians, and social commentators. Many have praised Salim for using his platform to speak out against communal violence and misrepresentation of faith.
In a time where voices of reason are more important than ever, Salim Merchant’s message serves as a powerful reminder: Terrorism has no religion, and peace must remain our collective goal.
