New Delhi [India]: Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui has expressed deep sorrow and anger following the terror attack that occurred in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam region on April 22.
Speaking to media, Nawazuddin called the incident “shameful” and voiced confidence that the government will ensure justice is served.
“Of course, there is a lot of anger and sadness. Our government is working, and they will definitely punish those responsible. Jo bhi hua, bohot hi bura hua, sharmnaak hai actually,” the actor said.
Addressing concerns about the impact on tourism, Nawazuddin shared that while financial losses are significant, the emotional toll on the locals is even greater.
“Like you said, tourism has been very badly affected. But more than that, after seeing some things myself, I noticed that the local people are very angry. They treat tourists like their own brothers. Jis tarike se Kashmiri welcome karte hain logo ko, wo paise se bhi upar ki cheez hoti hain,” he said.
“I cannot explain the amount of love the Kashmiri people have in their hearts for everyone. Whenever people visit Kashmir and return, they always praise the Kashmiris so much, and rightly so. But ye jo incident hua hai isko leke unke andar bohot zyada gussa hain ki humare zameen par ye kaise hogaya,” he added.
Nawazuddin also highlighted the unity displayed across India in the aftermath of the attack.
“This one incident has brought the whole country together. It is such a proud moment that in times of sadness, whether Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, or Christian, everyone stands together,” he said.
“Is ek incident se pura desh ek ho gaya. Kitni fakr ki baat hai, kitni proud baat hai humare desh mein, chahe Hindu ho, Musalman ho, Sikh ho, Isai ho. Sab aise dukhhad situation mein ek saath aajate hain.”
The terror attack on April 22 at the Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam resulted in the death of 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, with several others injured. The assault marks one of the deadliest incidents in the Valley since the 2019 Pulwama attack, which claimed the lives of 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawans.